l weak thing to be sent out
into the world to earn its living. It would have a very different life
to Darkie and Blanche. They could dwell at ease, and need never catch
mice except for their own pleasure; but the grey kitten had really hard
work before it, and most likely would never be petted again after it
left Fieldside. Maisie wondered whether the old cat, Madam, to whom she
carefully explained everything, was at all worried and anxious about her
children; but if so, she hid her feelings very well. Certainly she
looked about a little after the white kitten had gone, and mewed once or
twice in an inquiring sort of way, but she did not refuse comfort. On
the contrary, when Maisie offered her some fish to distract her mind
from her loss, she gobbled it up rather greedily, and even Darkie could
not push his round head far into the dish.

"I expect," said Maisie, "if Madam could choose, she'd much rather send
Darkie away and keep the grey one; Darkie bothers her so."

It was just after lesson time, and the children were making preparations
to start with the kitten for old Sally's cottage. Dennis was tying down
the lid of a small hamper, and Maisie stood near, peeping through the
crevices to see whether the kitten was comfortable.

"There," said Dennis, as he tied the last knot; "I'm glad it's we that
have got to choose, and not Madam, I wouldn't keep this mean-looking
kitten for anything. Now Darkie will be a splendid cat."

"Let me carry it," said Maisie eagerly, and hugging the little basket
with both arms, she followed Dennis rather sorrowfully out of the door
which the kitten was not to enter again.

"I _do_ hope," she said on the way, "that they'll be kind to it."

"Oh, of course they will," said Dennis; "don't you remember old Sally
said Eliza was quite silly over animals. That meant kind--extra kind."

Old Sally and her daughter Anne were busy when the children arrived, for
they had a job of work given to them by Mrs Solace, who wanted some old
cushions re-stuffed. On opening these, they had found that feathers
instead of down had been used, and they both had a great deal to say on
the subject. It was, however, almost impossible to talk without
coughing and choking, for their cottage was quite full of fluff and
feathers floating about in the air. The children stood in the doorway,
and explained their errand as well as they could.

"They've brought the kitten, mother," screamed Anne.

Old Sally