"What's the matter?" said Growler to the gray cat, as she sat moping on
the top of the garden wall.
"Matter enough," said the cat, turning her head another way, "Our cook
is very fond of talking of hanging me. I wish heartily some one would
hang _her_."
"Why, what _is_ the matter?" repeated Growler.
"Hasn't she beaten me, and called me a thief, and threatened to be the
death of me?"
"Dear, dear!" said Growler; "pray what has brought it about?"
"Oh, nothing at all; it is her temper. All the servants complain of it.
I wonder they haven't hanged her long ago."
"Well, you see," said Growler, "cooks are awkward things to hang; you
and I might be managed much more easily."
"Not a drop of milk have I had this day!" said the gray cat; "and such a
pain in my side!"
"But what," said Growler, "what is the cause?"
"Haven't I told you?" said the gray cat, pettishly; "it's her
temper:--oh, what I have had to suffer from it! Everything she breaks
she lays to me; everything that is stolen she lays to me. Really, it is
quite unbearable!"
Growler was quite indignant; but, being of a reflective turn, after the
first gust of wrath had passed, he asked: "But was there no particular
cause this morning?"
"She chose to be very angry because I--I offended her," said the cat.
"How, may I ask?" gently inquired Growler.
"Oh, nothing worth telling,--a mere mistake of mine."
Growler looked at her with such a questioning expression, that she was
compelled to say, "I took the wrong thing for my breakfast."
"Oh!" said Growler, much enlightened.
"Why, the fact is," said the gray cat, "I was springing at a mouse, and
knocked down a dish, and, not knowing exactly what it was, I smelt it,
and it was rather nice, and--"
"You finished it," hinted Growler.
"Well, I believe I should have done so, if that meddlesome cook hadn't
come in. As it was, I left the head."
"The head of what?" said Growler.
"How inquisitive you are!" said the gray cat.
"Nay, but I should like to know," said Growler.
"Well, then, of a certain fine fish that was meant for dinner."
"Then," said Growler, "say what you please; but, now that I've heard the
whole story, I only wonder she did _not_ hang you."
* * * * *
Fill the following blanks with words that will make complete sentences:
Mary -- here, and Susan and Agnes -- coming. They -- delayed on the road.
Mother -- to come with them, but she and father -- obliged to wait till
to-morrow.
Puss said to Growler, "I -- not -- a drop of milk to-day, and -- not -- any
yesterday."
I -- my work well now. Yesterday I -- it fairly well. To-morrow I shall
-- it perfectly.
The boys -- their best, though they -- the game.
John--now the boys he -- last week. He -- not -- them before.
NOTE.--Let two pupils read or recite the conversational parts of this
selection, omitting the explanatory matter, while the other pupils
simply listen. If done with expressive feeling and in a perfectly
natural tone, it will prove quite an interesting exercise. To play or
act the story of a selection helps to develop the imagination.
* * * * *
_14_
scared
swerve
gur' gle
rip' ples
cur' rent
mum' bling ly