WHITTINGTON AND HIS CAT. 51

captain’s arms, and in a few minutes laid
almost all the rats and mice dead at her
feet. The rest of them in their fright
scampered away to their holes.

The king and queen were quite
charmed to get so easily rid of such
plagues, and desired that the creature
who had done them so great a kindness
might be brought to them for inspection.
Upon which the captain called : “ Pussy,
pussy, pussy!” and she came to him.
He then presented her to the queen,
who started back, and was afraid to
touch a creature who had made such a
havoc among the rats and mice. How-
ever, when the captain stroked the cat
and called: ‘Pussy, pussy,” the queen
also touched her and cried: “Putty,
putty,” for she had not learned English.
He then put her down on the queen’s lap,
where she, purring, played with her
majesty’s hand, and then sung herself to
sleep.

The king, having seen the exploits of
Mrs Puss, and being informed that her
kittens would stock the whole country,