astle where there was a most wonderful cat. He was the
seneschal, I think, and a most intelligent animal."

"Where was the castle?" asked Puss. "I mean, in what country?"

"I don't remember," replied the beggar-man. "You see, I have begged at
so many back doors and so many postern gates that I have them all
jumbled up together in my memory."

"Dear me," said Puss. "Will I ever find anybody who really knows where
my father lives?"

"Pease porridge hot,
Pease porridge cold,
Pease porridge in the pot,
Nine days old."

Along the road came a man with a big white apron over his coat. In front
of him he wheeled a little cart in which was a large pot of porridge.

"Some like it hot,
Some like it cold,
Some like it in the pot,
Nine days old."

"Well, it won't be in that pot even nine minutes!" cried the beggar-man.
"Here, my good friend," he cried, "give me sixpence worth of your
porridge, and be quick about it."

"Don't be in a hurry," said the porridge-man. "Where's the sixpence?"

"Here in my good right hand," replied the beggar-man.

"Ah!" said the porridge-man, "you shall have your porridge."

"I will also have some," said Puss.

"Hot or cold?" asked the man.

"You take yours hot and I'll take mine cold," said the beggar-man, and
in a few minutes the porridge was all gone.

PUSS FOLLOWS WEE WILLIE WINKIE

The vesper bells were ringing as Puss, Jr., entered the great gate that
led into the city of Babylon. Along the street the lamps were being
lighted and their flickering gleams sent the shadows hiding in building
and alley.

Puss, however, in spite of shadows, trudged on with a brave heart,
waiting for an opportunity to get his supper and a comfortable place to
sleep.

Suddenly he was startled by a strange sight. A small boy in his
nightgown came racing down the street:

"Wee Willie Winkie runs through the town,
Up-stairs and down-stairs in his nightgown,
Rapping at the windows, crying through the lock,
'Are the children in their beds? It's past eight o'clock!'"

"Wait for me!" cried Puss, Jr., but Wee Willie Winkie did not stop. On
he ran, turning the next corner before Puss could overtake him. Half-way
down the block Puss stopped and ran up the steps of a small house.
Lifting the big brass knocker, he let it fall with a rap that soon
brought a maid to the door.

"Goodness me!" she exclaimed. "What have we here?"

"Is a