they fell; some tail first, looking scared to death; but most miserable
of all were those that came down tumbling over and over. It made them so
dizzy to come down in that whirligig fashion, that they staggered about
when they tried to stand. Carry felt truly sorry for them, and yet she
couldn't help laughing. And the cats and dogs who had come first laughed
too.

"Dear me! That's sort of funny, isn't it?" she thought; but the surprise
didn't last long, for, in the midst of a tremendous shower, down came
two most remarkable figures, and, with them, what at first sight
appeared to be several long sticks; but, on looking again, Carry saw
these were pitchforks!

"Oh!" said she, "I thought they'd come."

Then she stared for a minute at the two odd figures, and cried: "Why!
it's Mother Hubbard's dog and Puss in Boots!" And sure enough, so it
was!

Puss had a blue velvet cloak on his shoulders, large boots, and a velvet
cap with a long plume. He turned toward Carry and made her a low bow,
gracefully doffing his hat.

"You are right, Mademoiselle," said he. "I am that renowned personage,
and your humble servant. Permit me to add, Mademoiselle, that my eyes
have not beheld a fairer damsel than they now rest upon, since last I
saw my beloved mistress, the charming Marquise de Carabas."

Mother Hubbard's dog was dressed in a suit of fine old-fashioned
clothes, and held tightly between his teeth a very short stemmed pipe