“That looks like Charlie Black,” he said. “I don’t want to pass him when we’re carrying these kittens––he might try to start an argument and 169 hurt them; let’s go down this next street and cut around the block.”
Meg was willing, for she knew that Charlie Black––who was on his roller skates again, might try to snatch a kitten, and would certainly do his best to torment them in some way.
The people who had promised the cats a home were very glad to see the kittens, and Meg and Bobby felt glad to think that the little creatures would be sure of care and attention. Meg was planning to tell Annabel Lee all about it that night, when around the corner came Charlie Black and almost skated into them before he saw them.
“You take the kitten, Meg,” said Bobby hurriedly. “I’ll wait for you.”
There was only one kitten left and Meg ran across the street with it and up the steps of Mrs. Anderson’s house.
She had to wait a few minutes for some one to answer the doorbell and a few minutes longer were required to explain to Mrs. Anderson’s sister, who had not been at home that morning 170 when the twins called, and then Meg ran back to rejoin Bobby.
“What are you doing, peddling cats?” asked Charlie disagreeably.
“We’re not drowning them,” Bobby replied.
“Think you’re smart, don’t you?” said Charlie. “Well, Bobby Blossom, you’re not so smart as you seem to think––catch me, if you can,” and he made a dive at the little basket in which Meg had carried the kittens.
He twisted it from her hands and shot off down the street, Bobby after him. But Charlie had a good start and as the pavement was cement and exceptionally smooth, he seemed to be having things his own way for the first two blocks. Then he turned his head to see how close Bobby was and an ash box tripped him.