t it
distressed me to have her shut out, she was allowed to remain. She would
lie for hours at the foot of my bed watching me, hardly taking time to
eat her meals, and giving up her dearly loved rambles out of doors to
stay in my darkened room. I have thought some times if I had died then
Dinah would have died too of grief at my loss. But I didn't die; and
when I was getting well we had the best of times, for I shared with her
all the dainty dishes prepared for me, and every day gave her my
undivided attention for hours. It was about this time that I composed
some verses in her praise, half-printing and half-writing them on a
sheet of foolscap paper. They ran thus:--

'Who is it that I love so well?
I love her more than words can tell.
And who of all cats is the belle?
My Dinah.

Whose silky fur is dark as night?
Whose diamond is so snowy white?
Whose yellow eyes are big and bright?
Black Dinah.

Who broke the lamp, and in the gloom
A ball of fire flew round the room,
And just escaped an awful doom?
Poor Dinah.

Who, to defend her kittens twain,
Flew at big dogs with might and main,
And scratched them till they howled with pain?
Brave Dinah.

Who at the table takes her seat
With all the family to eat,
And picks up every scrap of meat?
My Dinah.

Who watched beside me every day,
As on my feverish couch I lay,
And whiled the tedious hours away?
Dear Dinah.

And when thou art no longer here,
Over thy grave I'll shed a tear,
For thou to me wast very dear,
Black Dinah.'

"Did you really used to set a chair for her at the table and let her eat
with the folks?" Fanny Eldridge asked.

"Well, Fannie, that statement must be taken with some allowance.
Occasionally when there was plenty of room she was allowed to sit by me,
and I assure you she behaved with perfect propriety. I kept a fork on
purpose for her, and when I held it out with a bit of meat on it she
would guide it to her mouth with one paw and eat it as daintily as
possible. I never knew her to drop a crumb on the carpet. Indeed, I know
several boys and girls whose table manners are not as good as Dinah
Diamond's."

"I suppose you mean me, Auntie," said Mollie. "Mamma is always telling
me I eat too fa