Page:The New-Year's Bargain (1884).djvu/221

 ish. I hissed, I spit, I warned,—nobody listened, and here I am. The good Papa dares not protect me. Gretchen weeps: the Step-dame bars the door. Hew! what a wind! What a Christmas Eve! Poor Gretchen! Poor me!' Overcome by her sorrows, the Cat gave a loud wail, which rang out into the chilly night. Then the door opened softly.

Puss! puss!' said a small voice, 'where are you?'

"Pussy ran forward into view, and jumped and leaped at her mistress.

Oh, my Katchen,' went on the little one, 'how cold it is! You will freeze! you will die. Oh, if I dared but let you in!'

I'll scratch her eyes out!' muttered the Cat.

Shall I throw my little red shawl to you from the window?' continued Gretchen. 'My poor one! my Kitty!'

Gretchen!' screamed a voice, 'if you let that good-for-nothing Cat into the house, you taste the stick! Dost hear?'