Dolly's nerves were too shaken to raise her long, silky ears, and she retreated into Mona's kennel.
“She's got the quakes badly to-day,” said good old Mona with a shake of her head. “I'll have to stand guard here, till she gets over them.”
“And I must go back to my young mistress,” I said, “for I think she will take me to see my parents to-day. Good-bye, Mona.”
“Good-bye, Pussy,” she said. “Keep away from Slyboots. She's a solitary cat.”
Mary did take me with her when she went to drive. Oh! what a strange time I had with my family! Let me think over what they said and I said.
Slyboots did not drive with us. Mary wanted to take her, but she drew back. She had no reason to like the streets, and I was very glad to go without her.
As soon as our carriage drew up in front of Mrs. Darley's, Mrs. Denville and Mary found that she was not at home.
My heart sank, but to my great delight, little Mary said to her mother, “Mamma dear, let me leave Black-Face here with her parents, and we can call for her later. You will, won't you?”
Mrs. Denville smiled. “Certainly, if you wish it, though I think it is an excess of sentiment.” Then she handed me to the foot-man, and he winked mischievously at Gerty who was holding the door open, and Gerty lifted me into the hall.
An excess of sentiment!—I wish Mrs. Denville could have seen my mother's face, as I slowly walked into the sitting-room.