tried hard not to laugh.

"Well, this is a new kind," said Freddie. "Sit down, mamma, and we'll
make Snoop do a trick for you. Make her chase her tail, Flossie."

"No, I'll make her walk a tight rope," said the little girl. "That's
more of a trick."

Flossie got her jumping rope, which she had little use for now, and
tied it from the back of one chair to the back of another, placed some
distance away. Then she pulled the rope tight between them, and,
taking Snoop up in her arms, placed the cat carefully on the stretched
rope.

Snoop stood still for a minute, meowing a little and waving her tail
back and forth. Poor Snoop! The black cat did not like to do tricks as
well as did Snap. No cats do. But Snap, when he saw what was going on,
was eager to show off what he could do.

He leaped about in his chair "cage," barking loudly, much to the
delight of Freddie who liked to hear the "lion" roar.

"Go on, Snoop!" called the twins, and gave the cat a gentle shove.
Then Snoop did really walk across the rope, for it was almost as easy
as walking the back fence, which Snoop had often done. Only the rope
was not as steady as the fence. But the fat circus lady had trained
the black cat well, and Snoop performed the trick to the delight of
the children.

"That is very good," said Mrs. Bobbsey. "Oh, see! Snap is turning a