Mr. Denville was really a very clever man. As Anthony opened the door, I sprang inside. I just rushed up-stairs, and wet and bedraggled as I was, my dear little mistress caught me in her arms.
I was dried by the fire, and put to bed, and next morning at the breakfast table there was a great deal of talk about “Pussy,” and how she got out-of-doors.
“She never, never would go out herself,” said little Mary shaking her pretty head as she ate her boiled egg. “Never, mamma. Black-Face hates the street. Some naughty person must have stolen her, and she ran away from him, and came back home. Oh! how I shall watch her after this.”
I was sitting close by her feet under the breakfast table, and her decision filled me with dismay. How was I to get food to the poor Common cat that night?
I could not do it. I was not left alone for one instant, and the food I hid and tried to take under the bed, was found and thrown to the sparrows.
I was in a fine plight. However, I had to go to bed, and sleep as well as I could.
The next night, which was to-night, I had better luck. Mary's back was turned for a few minutes after dinner. I ran like a fox to the hall, and got behind the curtain. During the day I had managed to put a little piece of mutton there. Not a very large piece for a well-fed cat, but a good hearty meal for a cat that didn't know what it was to go to bed with a full stomach.
This evening there were plenty of rings at the bell, and I soon slipped out. To my surprise, the big St. Bernard watch dog, Mona, who is usually in the back yard, was sitting on the steps close to the door.
The dogs are very friendly to me, both this big one and the little one, who is called Dolly. I acted a little silly at first, and used to put up my back whenever I saw them, but this big creature came up to me one day, and said, “You little simpleton, put your back down. I am here to protect you. If any dog sprang at you, I would shake him till he didn't know whether he was a dog or a door-mat. You might as well be friends,” and she touched me with her great muzzle.
After that we were friends, and seeing her on the step this evening gave me courage, until I reflected that the size of her great body would frighten the poor Common cat to death, if she should see her. So I would not enter into conversation, but stepped softly down the steps, carrying the mutton between my teeth.