The barn-cat thought it more dignified not to answer this familiar speech, and looked straight before her.
“Well,” said Mrs. Polly, “let’s make the most of our time now that we are all together.”
“First of all,” said the barn-cat, “I want to tell you that yesterday we were watched. Old Graywhisker had set a spy to listen to our conversation, and he reported every word that was said. However, I’d like to see him prevent us from carrying out our plans. I’ll just give a look under the piazza before we begin; that’s where he was yesterday, and the only place where he could hide.”
Graywhisker kept very still while the barn-cat investigated the piazza, and hardly dared breathe; but when she returned to her place again, saying, “There’s nobody there now, you may be sure of that,” he smiled again, and placing his right paw against his nose waggled it in a very exultant manner.
“Now,” said Mrs. Polly, “what we have to do is to decide how we can get the child Nancy here. I have a plan of my own that I will mention, and I’d like to have you express your opinions freely.”
Meanwhile the sparrow, who was seated on a slender branch opposite the window, was amusing himself by standing first on one leg and then on the other and having a fine see-saw all by himself. The barn-cat watched him eagerly; and his motions were so graceful, and he was so plump, that she quite forgot where she was, and sat swishing her tail in a very tiger-like manner, and was about to give a spring when Mrs. Polly’s keen eyes caught sight of her, and she called out,—
“Hallo there! what are you about?”
The barn-cat was really ashamed to have so forgotten herself, and was greatly embarrassed.
“What can you expect of a cat that’s been brought up in a barn?” said the house-cat scornfully. “That comes of letting such common people associate with those who have been accustomed to good society!”
The barn-cat was not ready as usual with an answer to this taunt from her enemy, for she knew she had been guilty of very great rudeness; and Mrs. Polly, knowing that although her manners were rough her heart was a very good one, kindly went on with her remarks:—