CHAPTER V
"BAD AGAIN!"
When tea, and reading, and sewing were all over, the children were allowed to play with the new kittens, and Granny presented a kitten to each child, Turly choosing the black and Terry the white one. They were each of a very aristocratic cat race, and had been sent a great many miles as a present to Madam. Terry named her kitten Snow, and Turly gave his the name of Jet. Nurse Nancy had provided a ribbon and a little tinkling bell for each. Jet had a scarlet ribbon and a gold bell, and Snow a blue ribbon and a silver bell. Nancy also produced two balls of knitting worsted, and it was very funny to see the kitties frisking about the floor after the dangling balls. This gave a pleasantly exciting finish to the evening, and the play went on until Gran'ma began to look tired.
As Nancy was tying the blue ribbon round Snow's white, furry neck, Terry holding her up by her fore-paws while a pretty knot was being made between her ears, Terry heard Nancy say to Granny:
"I think you are very tired, madam. I believe you miss your new-laid egg in the mornings; sure I know you do, madam."
"Why don't you have your new-laid egg in the mornings, Granny?" asked Terry, putting Snow down on the floor, and nestling up to her grandmother.
"Because, darling, the hens don't choose to lay, this cold weather."
"Do they never lay in cold weather? Are there no hens who will lay eggs for Gran'ma, Nursey dear?" urged Terry.