6 A YEAR WITH NELLIE.

of the children remained open, while their eyes
turned towards the opening door.

On the threshold stood a young lady well
known to master and pupils, who smiled and
nodded in answer to the curtseys of the girls
and the lifting of hands to foreheads on the
part of the boys.

“Tam just in time,” she said in a clear bright
tone. “Good afternoon, Mr. Farrow. I wanted
to tell all the children that I have lost my cat
—my beautiful white Angora cat. Most of you
must know her by sight. Has anyone here
seen her?”

There was a chorus of “No, miss.”

“Well, I will give a nice book to the boy or
girl who finds her and brings her back to me.
You will know her by her long fur.. I am
afraid, Mr. Farrow,” and she turned to the
schoolmaster, “that one of those keepers has _
shot her, or caught her in a trap.”

“Very likely, miss,” he answered, scratching
his head thoughtfully. “You see the cats steal
the rabbits and things, that’s how it is. How-
ever, you may depend upon it, some of these
youngsters will find her for you, either alive
or dead. There, be off, all of you.”