MATTHEW, Mark, Luke, and John,
Bless the bed I lie upon.
Four corners to my bed,
Five angels there lie spread;
Two at my head,
Two at my feet,
One at my heart,
My soul to keep.
Puss, Junior, looked in at the window. On a little white bed lay a
pretty child.
"Now go to sleep, my little one," softly whispered his mother. "Snuggle
down and find a little dream--a little dream about woolly lambs and
white daisies."
Then she tiptoed from the room, and no sound was heard except her
footsteps on the stairs. Just as she looked through the open door she
saw Puss slide down the post that held up the roof of the porch.
"Don't worry, madam," he explained, politely. "I climbed up to see if
anyone were at home. Nobody answered the doorbell. But when I saw your
little boy I kept very, very still so as not to disturb him."
"You are a good cat," she answered, with a sigh of relief. "I'm glad you
were quiet."
"I am very tired, madam," said Puss, "for I have journeyed far to-day.
Would it be asking too much if I might sleep on your front porch?"
"You may sleep on a big red cushion in the hall," she replied, "and I
will also give you a bowl of milk."
[Illustration]
"May I put my Good Gray Horse in your barn?"
"Of course," she answered. "You will find plenty of hay and oats for his
supper."
The Good Gray Horse followed his small master to the stable and was soon
made comfortable for the night. Then Puss locked the stable door and
brought the key into the house.
"Hang it up on the nail behind the door," said the mother of the little
child. "And take off your boots. They make so much noise on the kitchen
floor. I fear they will keep my little one awake."
"I will gladly take them off," said Puss, and he placed them behind the
door underneath the big barn key.
"My husband will be home very soon," she said, "but if you are very
tired I will give you your supper at once."
"I would like it now," said Puss, with a weary sigh. And when he had
finished he jumped upon the big red cushion and was soon fast asleep.