HELENA.

SSLELENA had been looking at Tiptoe for the space of
ten minutes. Now, there was nothing in the world

 

the matter with Tiptoe; she was carefully washing
her face, licking first one black paw and rubbing it
over one side, and then doing the same with the other; finally
she finished her toilet. Tucking her paws neatly under her,
and curling her tail around out of the way, she prepared to
take a nap, gazing’at Helena till the round, green eyes became
two slits, then closed altogether just as Helena came out of
her brown study.

“Well, Tiptoe,” said she, “if you are going to sleep I will
not disturb your nap. You look so very wise when you are
_ wide awake, and I almost think you could help me out of my
troubles if you were to give them a thought.”

Tiptoe opened her eyes a little way, but closed them again,
and began to purr.

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