"I know that," said Turly placidly. "I build one house at a time, and I count the houses I've built till I know there is a street." "Oh, you silly! You are building the same house every time, and taking it down again. How can you be so baby as to call that building a street." "No matter," said Turly, "I have the street in my head. I see all the houses I built, though they had to come down. It's a grand city." "Whereabouts is it in the world!" asked Terry, a little interested in spite of herself. "Oh, it's a city I read about in the _Arabian Nights_! I think they call it Ispahan. I intend to go there some day. There are magicians living in it." "Oh, that's better!" cried Terry. "You must take me with you, Turly." "Girls don't ever grow up into famous travellers," said Turly, as he packed his bricks solidly back into their box. "Oh, you stupid! don't they? As if I couldn't run about as well as a person who lies on the floor all day and calls it travelling." "I didn't," said Turly, "I said I intended to go and see that city some day, and find out all about everything that is in it. I am afraid the magicians are dead." But here Granny's tea-bell rang, and the children hastened away to their honey and tea-cakes. And there they had a delightful surprise, for two little new kittens, a white Persian and a black velvet creature with yellow eyes, were curled up on the hearth at Gran'ma's feet. CHAPTER V "BAD AGAIN!" When tea, and reading, and sewing were all over, the children were allowed to play with the new kittens, and Granny presented a kitten to each child, Turly choosing the black and Terry the white one. They were each of a very aristocratic cat race, and had been sent a great many miles as a present to Madam. Terry named her kitten Snow, and Turly gave his the name of Jet. Nurse Nancy had provided a ribbon and a little tinkling bell for each. Jet had a scarlet ribbon and a gold bell, and Snow a blue ribbon and a silver bell. Nancy also produced two balls of knitting worsted, and it was very funny to see the kitties frisking about the floor after the dangling balls. This gave a pleasantly exciting finish to the evening, and the play went on until Gran'ma began to look tired. As Nancy was tying the blue ribbon round Snow's white, furry neck, Terry holding her up by her fore-paws while a pretty knot was being made between her ears, Terry heard Nancy say to Granny: "I think you are very tired, madam. I believe you miss your new-laid egg in the mornings; sure I know you do, madam." [Illustration] "Why don't you have your new-laid egg in the mornings, Granny?" asked Terry, putting Snow down on the floor, and nestling up to her grandmother. "Because, darling, the hens don't choose to lay, this cold weather." "Do they never lay in cold weather? Are there no hens who will lay eggs for Gran'ma, Nursey dear?" urged Terry.