Part 12 (1/2)
”Yes.”
”And I know this is Topsy,” said Peggy, picking up the other black-and-white kitten.
”Oh, what a darling!” said Alice as she spied the gray-and-white kitten.
”That must be Gretchen.”
”Oh, see that one, Alice,” and Peggy pointed to the silvery gray kitten that looked like a miniature Lady Jane. The children went into an ecstasy of delight over the four soft, furry little things that were so complete and yet small.
As Mrs. Carter was leaving the room, she said, ”I'll come back in a few minutes, for I want to take them home before Lady Jane comes back from her afternoon walk. She'd be terribly worried if she found they were gone. So you'll have to choose your kitten quickly.”
”Can we choose whatever one we want?” Peggy asked.
”Almost any one,” said Diana. ”We've each chosen for ourselves, but I'll let you choose mine if you want her; and I don't believe Tom would mind if you chose his. I'm not sure about Christopher--he's so decided.”
”Well, anyway, I don't know which I like best,” said Peggy.
”Well, I know which one I want,” said Alice, and she picked up the silvery gray kitten. ”I want Lady Janet, she's so like her mother, except she's a lighter color.”
”That's Christopher's kitten,” said Diana.
”Well, I don't care if it is,” said Alice in her gentlest voice; ”I want it. I think if I am so unfortunate as to lose my precious Lady Jane, I ought to have the child that's most like her.”
”They are all sweet,” said Peggy. ”Which is the kitten that doesn't belong to anybody?”
”Topsy.”
”Let's take Topsy,” said Peggy. ”It would be a change to have a black-and-white kitten.”
”It would not be a nice change,” said Alice. ”I'd like to go and find Christopher.”
He came in while the kittens were still there. ”Oh, Christopher,” said Alice, ”please I want Lady Janet. I want her very much because she's so like her mother. I know she's your kitten, but I want her very much, please, Christopher.”
”I want her very much, too,” said Christopher.
In spite of his pleasant smile, he had a determined face. He looked as if when his mind was made up he did not easily change it.
”You see, if I can't have Lady Jane I want Lady Janet,” said Alice.
”Who says you can't have Lady Jane?” said Christopher. ”You can have her back as soon as the kittens are old enough to look out for themselves.”
”You know she won't stay with us,” said Alice reproachfully.
”Well, I can't help that,” said Christopher.
”Come, Alice,” said Peggy, ”we must be going now.”
She turned and looked at Christopher. ”If you are so mean as not to let my sister have the kitten she wants when Lady Jane is her cat, I shall never speak to you as long as I live. I think you are a selfish pig. You can keep all four kittens. There are plenty of kittens in town.
Good-bye, Diana.”