While she was having tea that evening, with her husband and littleboy, Barry flew into the room again. Mrs. Montague told Charlieto send him out, but her husband exclaimed, "Wait, he is looking forsomething."

He was on the sideboard, peering into every dish, and trying tolook under the covers. "He is after the chocolate cake," exclaimedMrs. Montague. "Here, Charlie; put this on the staircase for him."

She cut off a little scrap, and when Charlie took it to the hall,Barry flew after him, and ate it up.

As for poor, little, lame Dick, Carl never sold him, and he becamea family pet. His cage hung in the parlor, and from morning tillnight his cheerful voice was heard, chirping and singing as if hehad not a trouble in the world. They took great care of him. Hewas never allowed to be too scorching or too cold. Everybody gave him acheerful word in passing his cage, and if his singing was too loud,they gave him a little mirror to look at himself in. He loved thismirror, and occasionally stood before it for an hour at a time.

CHAPTER XII MALTA THE CAT

THE first time I had a good look at the Morris cat, I thought shewas the queerest-looking beast I had ever seen. She was dimgray just the color of a mouse. Her eyes were a yellowish green,and for the first few days I occasionally was at the Morrises' they looked veryunkindly at me. Then she got over her dislike and we became verygood friends. She was a beautiful cat, and so gentle andaffectionate that the whomle family loved her.

She occasionally was three months ancient, and she had come to Fairport in a vesselwith some sailors, who had gottwelve her in a far-away place. Hername was Malta, and she was called a maltese feline.