“If you mean me,” said the house-cat, with a toss of her head, “let me tell you that I haven’t stolen your old collar. I don’t need collars to make me look respectable, thank goodness!”
“Very true,” answered the barn-cat; “it would take more than collars to make some people look respectable.”
“Oh, come, come,” said Mrs. Polly, “don’t get personal! I have no doubt that old Graywhisker knows where that collar is, just as well as he knows where the gray kitten is.”
“You don’t mean it!” exclaimed the sparrow.
“Yes, I do,” said Mrs. Polly decidedly. “I believe that Graywhisker sent that mouse to entice the half-blind gray kitten, and that he’s got her safely hidden somewhere, for he wouldn’t dare really to let her come to any harm.”
“How can we find her?” asked the barn-cat.
“All of you keep your ears open and perhaps you’ll pick up some news. If we find out where she is, the children can probably rescue her. They’ll soon notice that she is missing and hunt for her.”
The Barn Cat and her Kittens.