ved were gone away and left poor puss behind to starve in an
empty house.

7. They went to a shop and bought milk and bread. It was a fine feast
for them both, and I do not know which of them liked it best.

8. The rude boys in the street laughed at Dick for running along with a
cat in his arms. But he was too brave a boy to care for that. He only
hugged his cat the tighter, and laughed at them in return. So they
soon left off.

[Illustration: BOTH IN NEED.]

9. That night, Dick had again no place to sleep in but the doorway of a
big house. He made himself and his cat as snug as he could, and had
just fallen asleep when he heard a cross voice say, "What are you doing
here, you lazy scamp?"

10. This was a cook, who was just coming out. And at the same moment
her master came out behind her. He, too, saw Dick, and said: "Why do
you lie there, my lad? You seem big enough to work. I fear that you
must be idle."

11. "No, indeed, sir," said Dick. "I would work with all my heart, but
I know no one to give me work, and I think that I am ill from want of
food and a dry, warm bed."

12. "Poor fellow!" said the rich merchant, who was master of the house.
"Come here to me. Let us see what is the matter with you."

* * * * *

_Write:_ A poor little stray cat came to Dick. He spoke kindly to her
and went to buy bread and milk for both. They liked the food very much.

Questions: 1. What did Dick feel as he lay on the doorstep?
2. What did he say to the stray cat? 3. What did he buy for
them both? 4. Who came out of the door as Dick was sleeping
on the step? 5. Who came out after the maid? 6. What did the
master of the house say to Dick?

3. THE CROSS COOK.

1. As Dick came up to the merchant, his knees trembled under him, and
he looked very ill and weak. He had put the little cat under his
jacket, so that the merchant did not notice her.

2. "You seem half starved," said the merchant. And he told the cook to
give Dick a good meal at once, make him up a bed in the garret, and let
him stay with them.

3. He might do what dirty work in the kitchen he could for the cook.
Little Dick would have been very happy now, but for the cross cook, who
was finding fault and scolding all the day long.

4. She would rush at poor Dick with her broom, and hit him hard on the
head. And what was worse, she chased his poor little cat right out of
the house, and said she would ha