Seven little pussy-cats, invited out to tea, Cried: ‘Mother, let us go. Oh, do! for good we’ll surely be. We’ll wear our bibs and hold our things as you have shown us how:— Spoons in right paws, cups in left,—and make a pretty bow. We’ll always say, “Yes, if you please,” and “Only half of that.”’ ‘Then go, my darling children,’ said the happy Mother Cat. The seven little pussy-cats went out that night to tea. Their heads were smooth and glossy, their tails were swinging free; They held their things as they had learned, and tried to be polite; With snowy bibs beneath their chins they were a pretty sight. But, alas for manners beautiful, and coats as soft as silk! The moment that the little kits were asked to take some milk, They dropped their spoons, forgot to bow, and—oh, what do you think? They put their noses in the cups and all began to drink! Yes, every naughty little kit set up a Mee-ow for more, Then knocked the tea-cup over, and scampered through the door. MANY THANKS Sing, sing, what shall I sing? Many thanks to my Queen, I will sing, I will sing. Do, do, what shall I do? I will run away home, And go to bed too, And go to bed too. [Illustration: I’M GOING HOME] GOOD NIGHT Yes, I have put my jacket on, And my Good Night have said, And now I’m going home again, And then straightway to bed. [Illustration: SH-H-H] THE LAST TALE The book is done, the tales are told; Don’t wake me with your noise. For I’m as tired,—as tired, I guess, As many girls and boys. A WORD TO THE TEACHER When a new school Reader comes to the hands of the primary teacher, she naturally asks: “Will this book give to my class of boys and girls a healthy stimulus of thought and pleasure? Will they receive through it valuable instruction and assistance in the mechanics of reading? Is the book sufficiently literary in style and artistic in form to command the respect and love of the children? Is it suggestive, dramatic, and ethically healthful? In a word, is it worth the precious time of the schoolroom?” To the inquiring teacher who may examine this little book, which is devoted entirely to the frolics and fancies of kittens and cats, the following remarks may reveal a definite educational purpose and value in it. Following the example of Mother Goose, the wise and classic rhymester of the nursery, we have taken a subject dear to the heart of childhood and have given it life and personality in the simple and unsophisticated manner of the child.