Don't talk to me of parties, Nan;
I really cannot go;
When folks are in affliction
They don't go out, you know.
I have a new brown sash, too;
It seems a pity--eh?
That such a dreadful trial
Should have come just yesterday!
The play-house blinds are all pulled down
As dark as it can be;
It looks so very solemn
And so proper, don't you see?
And I have a piece of crape
Pinned on my dolly's hat,
Tom says it is ridiculous
For only just a cat.
But boys are all so horrid!
They always, every one,
Delight in teasing little girls
And kitties, "just for fun."
The way he used to pull her tail--
It makes me angry now--
And scat her up the cherry tree,
To make the darling "meow!"
I've had her all the summer.
One day, away last spring,
I heard a frightful barking,
And I saw the little thing
In the corner of a fence;
'T would have made you laugh outright
To see how every hair stood out,
And how she tried to fight.
I shooed the dog away,
And she jumped upon my arm;
The pretty creature knew
I wouldn't do her any harm;
I hugged her close, and carried her
To mamma, and she said
She should be my own wee kitty,
If I'd see that she was fed.
A cunning little dot she was,
With silky, soft, grey fur;
She'd lie for hours on my lap,
And I could hear her purr;
And then she'd frolic after
When I pulled a string about,
Or try to catch her tail,
Or roll a marble in and out.
Such comfort she has been to me
I'm sure no one could tell,
Unless some other little girl
Who loves her pussy well.
I've heard about a Maltese cross;
But my dear little kit
Was always sweet and amiable,
And never cross a bit!
But oh, last week I missed her!
I hunted all around;
My darling little pussy-cat
Was nowhere to be found.
I knelt and whispered softly,
When nobody could see:
"Take care of little kitty, please,
And bring her back to me."
I found her lying yesterday
Behind the lower shed;
I thought my heart was broken
When I found that she was dead.
Tom promised me another one;
But even he can see
No other kitty ever will be
Just the same to me.
I can't go to your party, Nannie,
Maccaroons, you say?
And ice-cream? I know
I ought to try and not give way;
And I feel it would be doing wrong
To disappoint you so.
Well, if I'm equal to it
By to-morrow, I may go!