fairy sland. 49
she stroked my brother, ‘This 7s a fine fellow ;
he is far prettier than the other, and more lively,
too ; we'll keep him.’

“ There was a little discussion then about us.
The other lady thought my face was prettier
than Mac’s, but my coat was not so well marked.
It was at last agreed that we should go up and
see the ladies every day, and that they should
choose one of us when they knew us better. It
ended, however, in their keeping us both, for
they grew so fond of us they didn’t like to part
with either. After this first event in our lives
we spent many happy days ; we were no longer
shut up in the dark cupboard, but were allowed
to run through the kitchen, and scamper about
in the passages ; and it was only when we were
hungry or tired out with play that we went
back to the cupboard, where we were sure to
find our dear, good, patient mother waiting for
us, ready to feed and wash us and purr us to
sleep. Then every day we were sent for by the