Children's Home, miss. You will have a fine time
here."

A young woman with a kind face opened the door.

The policeman did not go in. "Here is a child I found on Chambers
Street," he said. "We can't find out where she lives."

"Oh, I see," said the woman.

"Could you take her in for a while, till we can find her parents?"

"Yes, I guess we have room for her. Come in, little girl."

At that moment there was a scratching sound, and Deborah stuck her
head out.

"Miew," said Deborah, who was still hungry. Perhaps she thought it
was another bakery.

"Dear me!" cried the young woman, "we can't have that cat in here."

Clematis drew back, and reached for Jim Cunneen's hand.

"It's a very nice cat, I'm sure," said the policeman.

He felt sorry for Clematis. He knew how she loved her kitten.

"But it's against the rules. The children can never have cats or
dogs in here."

Clematis, with tears in her eyes, turned away.

"Come on," she said to her big friend. "Let us go."

But Jim Cunneen drew her back. He loved little girls, and was also
fond of cats.

"Don't you think the cook might need it for a day or two, to catch
the rats?" he asked, with his best smile.

"Oh dear me, I don't know. I don't think so. It's against the rules
for children to bring in pets."

"Ah then, just wait a minute. I'll be right back."

The policeman ran down the steps and around the corner of the house,
while the young woman asked Clematis questions.

"It's all right then, I'm sure," he called as he came back. "Katie
says she would be very glad to have that cat to help her catch the
rats."

The young woman laughed; Clematis dried her tears, and Jim Cunneen
waved his hand and said goodby.

In another moment the door opened, and Clematis, with Deborah still
in her arms, was in her new home.

It was supper hour at the Children's Home. In the big dining room
three long tables were set.

At each place on the clean, bare table was a plate, a small yellow
bowl, and a spoon.

Beside each plate was a blue gingham bib.

Jane, one of the girls in the Home, was filling the bowls on her
table with milk from a big brown pitcher.

Two little girls worked at each of the tables. While one filled the
bowls, the other brought the bread.

She put two thick slices of bread and a big cookie on each plate.

The young woman who had let Clematis in, came to the table near the
door.

"There is a new girl at your table tonight, Jane," she s