In a short time the house-cat appeared with her kittens nicely washed, and looking as pretty and fresh as possible, and soon after the barn-cat appeared with her kittens. She had had time to wash them carefully, as Major was out and she could not have the desired interview with him. Their little tiger-skins were glossy, and they looked as if it were hard work for them to walk sedately behind their mother.
The house-cat was seated with her kittens beside her, and the barn-cat took up her position at a distance and placed her kittens where she could keep an eye on them. While she was making their toilets she had given them so many instructions in regard to their behavior, that they presented a very demure appearance, although their little bright eyes danced about in such a very animated way that it seemed probable that it wouldn’t be a very difficult task to make them forget their dignity.
Mrs. Polly looked as wise as half a dozen judges put together, wigs and all. She looked silently around on the little group collected about her and then gave a little cough, as was usual when she had something of importance to say.
“I suppose you all understand why this meeting was called,” she began. “The little gray kitten, of whom we are all so fond, is missing, and we are trying to discover some traces of her. Now, to proceed in a systematic manner, the first point to find out is, who saw her last, and where?”
There was a moment’s silence, and then one of the little house-kittens said,—
“I think old Graywhisker has eaten the gray kitten up.”
“What makes you think so?” asked Mrs. Polly quickly.
“Because he’s got such long, sharp teeth. My mother says he’d eat me up quicker than a wink if he caught me,” answered the house-kitten.
“When did you see the gray kitten last, my dear?” asked Mrs. Polly.
“Not for a very long time,” replied the little house-kitten. “My mother says she’s common, and doesn’t like to have us play with her.”