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 with their backs arched and as fierce an expression as their mild little eyes were capable of producing.

"See the old cat make believe she doesn't see 'em, and yet she watches them out of the corner of her eye all the time," said Tom.

Then the barn-cat began to wash herself, and the kittens did the same; but they didn't do it in a very thorough manner, for their little paws didn't touch their faces half of the time.

Then the barn-cat took up one of her hind legs and washed it, and the kittens tried to do the same; but they were such little round balls they kept losing their balance, and tumbled over every time they lifted up their short hind legs.

Soon the barn-cat went into the barn, leaving her kittens at play in the yard.

"That's strange," said Tom, "to leave her kittens; she's usually so careful of them."