self. And then--there are the dogs, you see--"

"Would they chase it?" asked Maisie, glancing at them.

"Why, they're thoroughbred, you know," said the doctor apologetically.

"What a pity!" said Maisie, who thought it must be some very bad
quality.

"Well," said the doctor, with a short laugh, "I like them all the better
for it myself; but I'm afraid the kitten wouldn't stand much chance, and
that's a fact."

"Oh, I wouldn't let it come here for _anything_," said Maisie with a
shiver. "Why do you keep such cruel dogs?"

"As to that, you know, Miss Maisie," said the doctor, "it isn't crueller
to hunt a cat than a fox."

"But that's cruel too," said Maisie, "very cruel indeed."

Here Dennis felt it time to interfere.

"Don't be stupid, Maisie," he said; "you're only a girl. You don't
understand. Of course, people must hunt."

So here was another failure, for not only was Dr Price's home out of the
question, but he could not think of any one who wanted a kitten.
Everybody had cats; they seemed to be all over the place. If it was a
puppy now. He cast an admiring glance at Snip and Snap, who stood in
sprightly attitudes, one on each side of the little rough dog Peter,
their eager bodies quivering, their short tails wagging, ready for the
first signs of warfare. But Peter knew better. He was old and he was
wise. He did not like Snip and Snap, but he was not going to be
provoked into a fight in which he was sure to be worsted. So he held
himself stiffly upright, uttered a low growl of contempt, and took no
further notice of them.

"And now," said Maisie, when they had said good-bye to Dr Price, and
were on their way again, with Peter trotting in front, "there's really
only one more chance left."

There were two ways to old Sally's cottage, and Maisie knew Dennis would
be sure to choose the one which led across the rick-yard of the Manor
Farm; indeed, she liked this best herself except for one reason, and
that was the risk of meeting the turkey-cock. It was useless for Dennis
to say, "He won't gobble if you're not frightened of him." She always
_was_ frightened, and he always _did_ gobble, and turned purple with
rage, and swelled out all his feathers, and shook a loose scarlet thing
which hung down from his neck. They met him to-day, marching at the
head of his ladylike wives, who followed him delicately, picking their
way and lifting their feet high. Their small heads and quietly elegant
toilets m