e could mumble.
"Dear me," he said, "how they are burnt,"
And at poor pussy looking,
"I cannot think how I could bear
Such miserable cooking.

And what a fuss you make about
A little bit of warning;
I've often done the thing myself--
There's nothing so alarming.
Now take this for yourself," he said,
"And next time be less squalling:"
Then gave the cat a hearty cuff,
Which sent the poor thing sprawling.

"Now let me give you this advice,
For I am one of letters:
Leave off your rude, obstreperous way,
When you are with your betters.
And think yourself well off," he said,
"That I had mercy on you;
For many would have sent you home
Without a dress upon you."

Mrs. W. Taylor

[Illustration: Three Cats.]

[Page 161--More Pussy Land]

My Own Puss

I wish you could just see my cat:
She's a darling, there's no doubt of that:
So soft, and so sleek, and so fat.

Her eyes are a beautiful green,
The brightest that ever were seen:
Of cats she is truly the queen.

She loves to lie stretched in the sun
But as soon as my lessons are done,
She is ready for frolic and fun.

My kitty has two sets of claws,
Tucked away in those velvety paws:
She can use them, too, when there is cause.

I cannot thin what I should do,
If, my pussy, I ever lost you:
We're so happy together, we two!

I call her my bundle of fur:
Hark! now she's beginning to purr:
Kit loves me, and oh, I love her!

The Frolicsome Kitten

Dear kitten, do lie still, I say,
How much I want you to be quiet,
Instead of scampering away,
And always making such a riot.

There, only see! you've torn my frock,
And poor mamma must put a patch in;
I'll give you a right earnest knock,
To cure you of this trick of scratching.

Nay, do not scold your little cat,
She does not know what 'tis you're saying;
And every time you give a pat,
She thinks you mean it all for playing.

But if your pussy understood
The lesson that you want to teach her,
And did not choose to be so good,
She'd be, indeed, a naughty creature.

Putting Kitty to Bed

Kitty, Kitty, go to sleep,
Shut your eyes, and don't you peep.
Sing with me your little song,
We will not make it very long.

Hurry Kitty for to see
Mamma soon will come for me,
And I must see you safe in bed
All cove