"Oh yes," said the doctor, turning to Puss and the old retainer. "You'll hardly know the blackbird touched it after I get through." "Maybe he only pinched it," said Puss. "Or only tweaked it," said the old retainer. "Perhaps he thought it was a cherry," laughed the doctor, putting on some powder. And then the maid began to smile. "It feels much better already," she said. "Well it's always a good thing to call in the doctor," said the learned man. "You never can tell what may happen," and, picking up his little black bag, he held out his hand. "Two shillings, please!" "Mercy me!" she cried. "I haven't had my wages for this month." "What did you do with last month's?" asked the doctor, but before she could reply one of the four and twenty blackbirds dropped a gold piece in his hand. I guess he felt dreadfully ashamed to think that one of his brothers had pinched a pretty girl's nose. A MISCOUNT THE King was in his counting-house, Counting out his money; The Queen was in the parlor, Eating bread and honey. And now let us see where little Puss, Junior, was. Oh yes, I remember now. He was in the garden of the Blackbird-pie Castle, where the poor maid's nose had been nipped by a naughty, bad blackbird. Well, after the good Doctor had gone, the old retainer took Puss to see the King, who was so busy counting his money that he didn't even look up. "Your Worship," began the retainer. "What do you want?" asked the King, angrily. "I've just counted up to three trillion two hundred and thirty-seven billion, nine hundred and forty-eight million, seven hundred and fifteen thousand, four hundred and--and--now you've gone and made me miss, and I'll have to count all over again." "Start off at four hundred. A few sovereigns less won't matter to a king," said little Puss, Junior. "I'm not so sure about that," replied His Majesty, taking off his crown and scratching his head. "One likes to be right as well as King!" "Nobody said, my lord!" cried the old retainer. "But consider your health. Let's take this wise cat's suggestion and quit for the time being." "All right," said the King. "Let's go find the Queen." She was in the parlor eating bread and honey. "How do you do, my dear Puss, Junior?" she cried. "I am very well, thank Your Majesty," he replied. "I have just heard what valuable assistance you have rendered our court," continued the Queen. Puss would have blushed had not his cheeks been covered with whiskers. "I did but do my duty, Your Majesty," he replied. "What's that?" asked the King. "Did you not hear, my lord?" cried the Queen. "Our maid had her nose bitten by a naughty blackbird, and our little friend here quickly fetched the Doctor, bringing him on his Good Gray Horse in short time." "Indeed!" exclaimed His Majesty. "I will reward him. He shall have a castle and a retinue."