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 a toss of her head. "Your common-looking tiger-kittens! Look at my baby's soft skin and her gentle little ways!"

"I'll leave it to Posy if mine are not the smartest and handsomest," answered the barn-cat angrily. "They had hard work to get anybody to take your kittens the last time, and mine were spoken for before they had their eyes open!"

The house-cat was very angry, but she knew there was truth in what the barn-cat said; so she only repeated, "Indeed!" in a very scornful manner, and tossed her head.

"You coddle your children too much," continued the barn-cat. "You keep them by the warm stove, and don't take them out doors often enough. That makes them tender."

"When I want your advice I'll ask for it," answered the house-cat loftily, as she took up her kitten and went home with it.