urged the lady. "They are good
to keep the cellar and out buildings free from those troublesome
animals, rats and mice. But I never could make a pet of a cat."

"Nor eat one, I suppose," he added, roguishly.

"No, indeed," with an expression of contempt.

"They are thought by some to make a delicious meal," he went on with
mock gravity. "A fricassee, for instance. Here is a recipe for the
cooking:--

"Skin the cat thoroughly, cut it in pieces, and soak twenty-four hours
in vinegar; then anoint it with garlic and honey, after which it is
fried like a young chicken."

"Horrible!" exclaimed Mrs. Belcher; while Mrs. Lee confessed, much as
she esteemed cats, she could not relish such a meal.

"Is it possible they are ever used for such a purpose?" she inquired
presently.

"Certainly, my dear; among the negroes they are considered a great
dainty, and Goethe, in his 'Rifleman's Comrade,' said the soldiers at
Palmero ate them with a relish."

CHAPTER III.

PUSS AND THE PARTRIDGE.

A few days later, as Minnie sat watching Fidelle washing herself,
licking her paws, and then putting them on her face and ears, her father
drove into the yard, accompanied by a niece, who had come to make them a
long visit.

Ida Morris was the daughter of Mr. Lee's only sister. She was a lovely
girl of fourteen, having long been the companion and especial charge of
her widowed mother.

Mrs. Morris had now gone to Europe with her son, who was an invalid, and
Ida had come to stay at her uncle's until their return.

Minnie had not seen her cousin for a year; but she knew from her parents
that Ida was frank and good tempered, and very fond of pets.

When she heard the carriage, therefore, she ran joyfully to meet and
welcome her visitor.

Ida had grown very tall within the year, and this afternoon was
exceedingly sad from the parting with her mother and brother, the latter
of whom she might never see again; but when she felt Minnie's soft hand
pressed so lovingly in her own, and heard the eager tones of joy at her
arrival, she felt comforted.

Wiping her tear-dimmed eyes, she said, "Uncle George has been telling me
about your pets; and you, dear Minnie, shall be mine."

Fidelle presently came and jumped in Ida's lap, to the surprise of Mrs.
Lee and Minnie.

"Why, here is the beautiful cat I saw last year," cried the young girl;
"can it be possible that she remembers me? You know I petted her a great
deal."

"I have no do