his short tail over the nest. "Just as if she would. She's just the
nicest, most innocent creature going, and only wants us to have fun.
We never do have any fun in this old nest!"

Then the yellow eyes below shot a bewildering light into Tip-Top's
eyes, and a voice sounded sweet as silver: "Little birds, little
birds, come down; Pussy wants to play with you."

"Her paws are as white as velvet," said Tip-Top, "and so soft! I
don't believe she has any claws."

"Don't go, brother, don't!" screamed both sisters.

All we know about it is, that a moment after a direful scream was
heard from the nursery window. "O mamma, mamma, do come here! Tip-
Top's fallen out of the nest, and the cat has got him!"

Away ran Pussy with foolish little Tip-Top in her mouth, and he
squeaked dolefully when he felt her sharp teeth. Wicked Miss Pussy
had no mind to eat him at once; she meant just as she said, to "play
with him." So she ran off to a private place among the currant-
bushes, while all the little curly heads were scattered up and down
looking for her.

Did you ever see a cat play with a bird or a mouse? She sets it
down, and seems to go off and leave it; but the moment it makes the
first movement to get away,--pounce! she springs on it, and shakes it
in her mouth; and so she teases and tantalizes it, till she gets
ready to kill and eat it. I can't say why she does it, except that
it is a cat's nature; and it is a very bad nature for foolish young