"Come, Mrs. Polly, I hope you will give us your views on the subject; I know you have been thinking it over."
"Well," said Mrs. Polly in an impressive manner, "I have been considering the case, and have come to the conclusion that the only way to accomplish anything is to investigate the case in a thorough manner. Call the animals together, and I will interview them, and discover, if possible, if they can throw any light on this painful affair."
"Capital!" exclaimed the barn-cat, "I will attend to it at once. If you've no objection, ma'am, I should like to bring my kittens; they are old enough to begin to learn how such matters are conducted, and I like to have them get all the information they can."
"Very sensible indeed," answered Mrs. Polly; "bring them by all means, and tell the house-cat to bring hers. Please notify the sparrow also of the meeting; and as
