black!
Oh! I very well know,
Though she does not say so,
She has been where white kittens
Ought never to go.

If little good children
Would wish to do right,
If little white kittens
Would keep themselves white,
It is needful that they
In their houses should stay,
Or be careful in choosing
Their places to play.

Kitty

Pretty little Kitty
Sat upon a stile,
Sang a little ditty
To herself for a while,
Watching how the sparrows--
Seeking grain to eat--
Dart about like arrows
In among the wheat.

Pretty little Kitty
Liked the birds to see!
Though it was a pity
They were wild and free.
So she stopped her singing--
Left the stile forlorn;
And went gaily springing
In among the corn.

Pretty little Kitty
Fond of country things,
Cares not for the city
Where no birdie sings.

[Illustration: Our Jacko, our Jessie, our Jemmy.]

[Illustration: Our Pussies riding Horseback.]

[Page 158--More Pussy Land]

[Illustration: Our naughty Kitten Caught Stealing Jam.]

Naughty Pussy

"Oh, for shame,
Baby Cat,
Mother's pet
Her cupboard at.

"With a spoon
Eating Jam
Quite ashamed
Of you I am.

"If she comes
And catches you
You'll be punished
Rightly too.

"She will send you
Straight to bed,
With for supper
Plain dry bread."

[Illustration: Our naughty Kitten caught in trying to catch the
Goldfish.]

Little Pussy

I love little Pussy,
Her coat is so warm;
And if I don't tease her,
She'll do me no harm.

I'll not pull her tail,
Nor drive her away,
But Pussy and I
Very gently will play.

She'll be gentle with me,
If I'm gentle with her,
And if I speak kindly,
I know she will purr.

She shall sit by my side,
And I'll give her some food
And Pussy will love me
Because I am good.

It's true, if I tease her,
Her claws she will show;
But Pussy knows well
That I never do so.

Puss and the Crab

"I wonder," says puss,
"If a thing like that
Would presume to bite
A respectable cat?

'Tis the queerest thing
That ever I saw;
I'll hit it a slap
With my strong forepaw.

No! No! On the whole
I had better not;
But what curious claws
The creature has got!

I'll just step up
And quietly ask it
Ho