As soon as breakfast time was over, we began to have callers—mostly ladies and children. Some wanted to find an old cat, some to find a new cat, some to get rid of a cat, some to give money to the cats; but they all wanted to see us.
It was very interesting to watch the actions of the pussies. They would look narrowly at the visitors. Then if they liked a lady or a child, they would circle round that particular person, and beg to be taken away.
I was sitting apart, watching the various groups about the big room, when a little girl came right up to the corner where I was alone.
“Here is a lovely, little pussy,” she said in a sympathetic voice. “Pussy, don't you want to be adopted?”
“Meow!” I said doubtfully, for every minute I was hoping that Mrs. Darley would appear.
“Oh, mamma, mamma!” said the little girl, “I love this pussy with the black splash on her face. Mayn't I have her?”
A very pretty lady came up and looked at me kindly. “Certainly, Mary, if you are able to get her. There must be some good blood in her. See how long her fur is. I will speak to the secretary about her,” and she went away.
The little girl remained, and continued to stroke and caress me. I did not respond very much. I was uneasy and troubled.
Soon her mamma came back. “Yes, Mary, you may have her, if no one claims her, but the secretary thinks from her actions that she has been a pet cat, so we had better give the owner a chance of finding her.”
“Oh, mamma, I want this kitty, I want this kitty,” said the little girl longingly. “Her little sorry face just suits me. I think I could make her happy,” and she took me in her arms and petted me, until, for shame's sake, I had to purr a little, and rub my head against her.