“I will, I will, I will,” cried the Three Little Kittens, and they went out for a pail of water and filled up the tea-kettle. And to the surprise of all, there stood Old Mother Catastrophe in the door way wearing a cap with silver bells upon it.
She said,
“Tis well to work as well as play,
And learn some lessons every day.”
Dot thought of the empty wood box at home and Tot remembered that the tea-kettle was empty.
Trot thought they could help mother when they got home.
Old Mother Catastrophe hugged and kissed each Little Kitten in turn and in less time than it takes to tell it, they sat down to eat breakfast together.
Old Mother Catastrophe said, “I am going to see Old Mother Kit-Cat to-day, and you may keep house while I am gone.”
Then she cried, “Where are my rubbers? Where is my great-coat? Where is my market basket? Where is my walking stick?”
The Three Little Kittens ran this way and that way waiting upon her.