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 little hand that stroked him, in order to show his appreciation of the sympathy she had with his feelings.

"Papa," cried Tom and Posy together, as Mr. Winton came out of the house, "do come and see this awful big rat the barn-cat caught last night."

"He was an old stager, and no mistake," said Papa, looking at him. "I want you, Michael, to take up these boards and destroy all the old nests. I don't doubt there are a good many of them."

The barn-cat was so delighted that she completely forgot her dignity, and catching sight of the tiger-kittens and house-kittens at play in the yard, raced up to them and chased them around till they thought she had suddenly lost her wits.

"Well, I declare," said the house-cat, who was too well bred to forget her dignity in such a manner, "I thought you had a fit."