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 set off at once after it, and rolled over one another and clawed and kicked just as they had done when they played "tag."

The barn-cat couldn't help smiling to herself, but she took care that the kittens didn't see her smile, and then she made each one do it alone, and gave them very good advice about hiding behind corners and then suddenly springing out.

The children had been watching this play with the greatest interest, and often laughed aloud, when all at once Posy exclaimed,—

"Why, there is a little girl without any shoes and stockings on, and her's got a basket on her arm. What do you suppose her wants, Tom?"

The little barefooted girl was Nancy, whom the sparrow had succeeded in enticing by means of the red ribbon with gold figures on it. She had stood watching the kittens play for some minutes before Posy saw her.