"But all the folks at this house are very kindly people and would dearly
love your kittens!" cried all the dolls.

"Let's take them right up to the nursery!" said Raggedy Ann, "And
Mistress can find them there in the morning!"

"How lovely!" said all the dolls in chorus. "Do, Mamma Cat! Raggedy Ann
knows, for she is stuffed with nice clean white cotton and is very
wise!"

So after a great deal of persuasion, Mamma Cat finally consented.
Raggedy Ann took two of the kittens and carried them to the house while
Mamma Cat carried the other.

Raggedy Ann wanted to give the kittens her bed, but Fido, who was
anxious to prove his affection, insisted that Mamma Cat and the kittens
should have his nice soft basket.

[Illustration]

The dolls could hardly sleep that night; they were so anxious to see
what Mistress would say when she found the dear little kittens in the
morning.

Raggedy Ann did not sleep a wink, for she shared her bed with Fido and
he kept her awake whispering to her.

In the morning when Marcella came to the nursery, the first thing she
saw was the three little kittens.

She cried out in delight and carried them all down to show to Mamma and
Daddy. Mamma Cat went trailing along, arching her back and purring with
pride as she rubbed against all the chairs and doors.

Mamma and Daddy said the kittens could stay in the nursery and belong to
Marcella, so Marcella took them back to Fido's basket while she hunted
names for them out of a fairy tale book.

Marcella finally decided upon three names; Prince Charming for the white
kitty, Cinderella for the Maltese and Princess Golden for the kitty with
the yellow stripes.

So that is how the three little kittens came to live in the nursery.

And it all turned out just as Raggedy Ann had said, for her head was
stuffed with clean white cotton, and she could think exceedingly wise
thoughts.

And Mamma Cat found out that Fido was a very good friend, too. She grew
to trust him so much she would even let him help wash the kittens' faces.

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

RAGGEDY ANN AND THE FAIRIES' GIFT

All the dolls were tucked snugly in their little doll-beds for the night
and the large house was very still.

Every once in a while Fido would raise one ear and partly open one eye,
for his keen dog sense seemed to tell him that something was about to
happen.

Finally he opened both eyes, sniffed into the air and, getting out of
his basket and