We look alike and dress alike, And act alike, they say, And that is why we’re called the Twins By good old Granny Gray. WHAT SHALL WE SING We are twins too, and they say we look alike. We are so hungry just now we simply cannot tell you a tale. But we will sing you a song,—if we can think of one. Hey ding a ding, what shall we sing? How many holes in a skimmer? Four and twenty,—we’re feeling quite empty; Dear Queen, give us some dinner. Hey ding a ding, what shall we sing? Dear Queen, give us some dinner. [Illustration: WE’RE FEELING QUITE EMPTY] WAITING We’ve washed our paws and noses red; We think we look quite neat; We’ve donned our bibs, and now we beg For something good to eat. DING, DONG, BELL Ding, dong, bell! We have something to tell! All you kittens and cats who have told tales of rats, or of mice, or of cats, and have made our Queen laugh, listen! The Queen bids you come to the grand dining-room. There a dinner she spreads which may quite turn your heads. Heed what we say and we’ll show you the way. Ding, dong, bell! [Illustration: DING, DONG, BELL] THE DINING-ROOM Oh my! What a fine dining-room, and how many tables there are! Each cat has a table all to himself. I wonder why. There is the Queen sitting at the end of the room. She is looking straight at me. Oh dear! What if I should spill my milk on this white cloth! What would the Queen say to me! I am almost afraid to drink it. It is so hard to drink out of china cups. But I must try. [Illustration: THE QUEEN IS LOOKING STRAIGHT AT ME] I AM SO HUNGRY I wish some one would hurry and bring me some milk. Mine is all gone and so is my mouse. I wonder if this is all we are going to have to eat. I am so hungry I shall have to go home and catch a rat. The Queen is asking some one to tell a story. I believe she means me. Yes, dear Queen, I will tell you a story about seven little pussy-cats who were not so polite as we are. But first may I please have a little more milk to drink? (_My tale is coming._) [Illustration: A HUNGRY CAT] THE QUEEN’S TEA-TABLE The Queen has had the table set, As fine as fine can be, And now I wish she’d send some milk For a hungry cat like me. SEVEN LITTLE PUSSY-CATS