and Araminta
had a little blue ball fastened to a long string. Arabella would roll
her ball, and her little white kitty would run and jump for it. And
Araminta would roll her ball, and her little black kitty would run and
jump for it.

The kittens were so cunning and funny, and they were having such a
splendid time.

Sometimes when Arabella's kitty would run very fast, or jump very high,
Arabella would laugh until she tumbled right over on the floor.

And sometimes when Araminta's kitty would run very fast, or jump very
high, Araminta would laugh until she would tumble right over on the
floor.

Oh, they were having a splendid time.

But all at once their mamma looked up from her sewing, and said,
"Good-night, Arabella. Good-night, Araminta. The clock is on the stroke
of eight."

And their papa looked up from his paper, and said, "Yes, good-night,
Arabella. Good-night, Araminta. The clock is on the stroke of eight."

And Arabella said, "Oh, must we go to bed right now?"

And Araminta said, "Oh, must we go to bed right now?"

And their papa said, "Yes, indeed; yes, indeed. Good-night, Arabella.
Good-night, Araminta. The clock is on the stroke of eight."

Always, when it was bedtime, their papa and mamma would say,
"Good-night, Arabella. Good-night, Araminta."

And sometimes they were good, and sometimes they were bad; but they
always ran away to bed.

And their dear mamma always went with them and tucked them in and kissed
them, and then came away downstairs and left them. And sometimes they
were good, and sometimes they were bad; but they always went to sleep.

But to-night their mamma said,

"Run and get your nighties, dears,
And get each a flannel gown,
And we'll sit and rock you here,
Till you go to sleepy-town."

And Arabella ran upstairs and got her nighty and her little flannel
gown. And Araminta ran upstairs and got her nighty and her little
flannel gown. And their mamma undressed Arabella, and their papa
undressed Araminta.

Arabella's little flannel gown was red, and Araminta's little flannel
gown was pink. When they had put them on over their nighties they were
just as warm as toast.

Arabella's kitty was playing with Araminta's kitty on the rug before the
fire. They were rolling and tumbling and chasing each other, and they
looked so cunning and sweet.

And Arabella's mamma took Arabella on her lap, and Araminta's papa took
Araminta on his lap.

Arabella sai