Blackie went to sleep for a while, but suddenly she was awakened by a strange sound. Some one was running up the steps over her as she lay under the porch. Then she heard voices.
“Oh, Mabel!” cried a boy. “Aren’t you glad to be home again?”
“I guess so, Arthur,” answered a little girl. “But it was nice in the country on our vacation. Oh, if only we had Blackie back I would be happy.”
“So would I. I looked for her in the country, but I didn’t see her. Look, the people next door aren’t home yet.”
“Wait a minute, children, and Daddy will open the door for us,” said a lady’s voice.
Blackie was wide awake now.
“Why—why—!” exclaimed the black cat. “The folks have come home! That is Mabel and Arthur! I wonder where they have been? Oh, how glad I am! Now I am all right.”
Blackie heard the front door of the house open. Then she heard the children run inside.
“Here is where I surprise them,” thought the black cat.