Page:Sparrow, the tramp (IA sparrowtramp00wess).pdf/50

 a tree near us, and my mother told my brother and me to climb up the tree as quickly as we could. My poor mother gave us the first chance, for she knew we couldn't climb as well as she could, and she stood at the foot of the tree with her fur all bristling up and spitting at the big dog. We got up to the first branches where the dog couldn't reach us; but before my poor mother had time to follow us the big dog seized her, and gave her one shake and killed her."

Her hearers were very quiet as the little gray kitten ceased and sat crying softly to herself. The barn-cat gave her nose a sharp rub with her paw, and then jumped down and examined very carefully a hole under the window, as if she expected to find a mouse there. Her feelings were very much touched, for she couldn't help thinking how dreadful it would be if her little kittens were left without a mother to care for them.