GRAN’MA_ GRACIE.

was caught and held by her ears till mamma lifted her up, and she was
carried in triumph back, Grant trotting on before, and leading the way to the
stable-yard and the hutch, turning round every now and then to bark.

The rabbits did not get out again, and every morning and evening they were
fed as regularly as Gran’ma fed herself.

On reaching the hutch, Grant set the basket down, leaving the handle rather
wet, though he could easily have wiped it with his ears, and then he sat down
in a dreamy way, half closing his eyes and possibly thinking about wild rabbits
on heaths where he could hunt them through furze bushes, while Gran’ma in
the most serious way possible opened the hutch door.

There was no difficulty about catching White Paw, for he was ready enough
to thrust his nose into
his little mistress’s
hand, and be lifted
out by his ears, and
held for Dinny to
stroke.

“Now let me take
him,” she cried.
_ “No, my dear, you
are too young yet,”
said Gran’ma; and

Dinny had to be con-

 

tent with smoothing down White Paw’s soft brown fur, as it nestled up
against its mistress’s breast, till it was put back kicking, and evidently longing
to escape from its wooden-barred prison, even if it was to be hunted by Grant.

Then Bunny had his turn, and was duly lifted out and smoothed; after
which, Brown Downie, who was too heavy to lift, gave the floor of the hutch a
sharp rap with one foot, making Grant lift his ear and utter a deep sigh.

‘‘No,” he must have thought; ‘it’s very tempting, but I must not seize
her by the back and give her a shake.”

Then the trough was filled with oats, the door fastened, and the girls looked
on as three noses were twitched and screwed about, and a low munching sound
arose. §

Three rabbits and a dog! Enough pets for any girl, my reader; but
Gran’ma had another — Buzz, a round, soft-furred kitten with about as much