“What’s the matter now?” inquired his sister, laughing at his comical expression; “didn’t you get the kitty safe home?”
“Yes.”
“Well, weren’t they glad to find her?”
“I didn’t see anybody but Mrs. Perry, and she was just as cross as she could be. She never thanked me one mite. She only looked at my boots as if she was afraid I was going to walk in, and then she said,—
“‘Well, put her down; cats are a great bother, any way.’”
“Why didn’t you tell Mrs. Perry you would take her back again? I should think she might have thanked you, anyhow.”
“I hate not to be thanked,” exclaimed Fred.
“Especially when you took pains to go so far through all this mud.”
“Next time kitty comes here, crying and trying to come in, I’ll keep her myself. I’m as tired as I can be, I had to chase her so.”
Fred took off his boots, and went up stairs, where his mother sat sewing, to relate his grievances to her.