fast asleep. The Queen
looked up at the King and said, "Is he not a dear little cat?" and the
King for answer took from his purse several gold pieces and tucked them
away in Puss, Junior's, pocket.

PLUM PUDDING STORY

WHEN Puss, Junior, awoke from his nap he was surprised to find himself
in the Queen's lap. It was growing dark and for a moment he wondered
where he was. "Don't ask where you are, my dear Puss," laughed the
Queen, "for you are safe and well."

"Your Majesty," said Puss, rubbing his eyes, "I was also very
comfortable. Pardon me for dropping off to sleep in your presence."

Just then a page appeared and announced that dinner was served. The King
arose and offered his arm to the Queen, Puss following quietly after. As
he stepped down the great stairway to the royal dining room he heard
some one singing in a deep voice:

"When good King Arthur ruled this land,
He was a goodly King;
He stole three pecks of barley meal
To make a bag pudding.

"A bag pudding the King did make
And stuffed it well with plums,
And in it put great lumps of fat
As big as my two thumbs.

"The King and Queen did eat thereof,
And noblemen beside;
And what they could not eat that night
The Queen next morning fried."

"Plum pudding!" said Puss to himself. "That sounds pretty nice," and he
followed the King and Queen into the great dining hall. Many noblemen
were present and the table was a most gorgeous affair. Silver tankards
and wonderful gold dishes gleamed in the candlelight. Puss was very much
impressed and behaved beautifully. And when the plum pudding came on the
table the same deep voice began to sing:

"And what they could not eat that night
The Queen next morning fried."

"Puss," said the Queen in a whisper, "let's finish the pudding between
us! I know you'd like some more, and so would I. Moreover," she added in
a still lower whisper, "I don't intend getting up early to-morrow
morning to fry what's left over--so let us finish it to-night."

Presently the court fool came running in, his fool's cap all ajingle
with bells. He capered about, swinging up and down a little stick which
was also covered with tiny bells. These were silver, and the ones in his
cap were of gold, so that the sound was very sweet.

The next morning Puss mounted his Good