ame
suddenly upon her, she gave him a long, deep scratch on his hand.

Minnie never after liked this boy; and once, when Mrs. Lee was intending
to invite his mother to repeat her visit, the child begged earnestly
that Wallace might be left at home, saying, "He is so cruel to Fidelle,
I can't bear to have him here."

I told you, in the other book about Minnie's pet parrot, that she used
often to ride with her mother in the afternoon. There was nothing she
liked better than to take Fidelle and Tiney out with her. Sometimes
Mrs. Lee allowed this; but when she was intending to make calls she
feared the pets would be troublesome.

Fidelle was greatly disappointed when she could not go. She would ask as
well as she knew how, and I dare say some of her mews were promises to
be good; but Mrs. Lee knew best when it was proper, and was obliged to
be firm.

Kitty then used to stand at the door, watching her mistress, as she
jumped into the carriage, returning her "Good by, dear Fidelle," by
little soft purrs.

When the carriage was out of sight, Puss seated herself at the window to
watch for their return. Whether it was one hour or two, she almost
always sat patiently, sometimes indulging herself with a nap, but never
getting so sound asleep that the first rumble of the wheels did not
awaken her.

As soon as the carriage began to roll up the avenue, Kitty was all
excitement, looking from the window, and moving her tail back and forth,
then with a spring bounding to another window, where she could see them
alight. If the door happened to be shut, she cried piteously until let
out, when she ran quickly and jumped on Minnie's shoulder, purring as
loud as she could, to express her joy.

A lady was once visiting at the house, who said she liked dogs,
especially such splendid great ones as Leo; but she couldn't see any
thing agreeable or intelligent in a cat.

"There are some wonderful accounts of the sagacity of cats," remarked
Mr. Lee, smiling at Minnie's quick flush of indignation. "If my little
daughter will bring me that book we were looking at yesterday, I think
I can soon convince you that they are certainly not wanting in
intelligence."

"They are capable of strong attachments," said Mrs. Lee, as the child
rose and left the room, followed closely by Fidelle. "I think none of
Minnie's pets show more real affection for her, nor more gratitude for
her kindness."

"Is this the book, father?" inquired the little girl, p