quite forgot where she was, and sat swishing her tail in a very tiger-like manner, and was about to give a spring when Mrs. Polly's keen eyes caught sight of her, and she called out,—
"Hallo there! what are you about?"
The barn-cat was really ashamed to have so forgotten herself, and was greatly embarrassed.
"What can you expect of a cat that's been brought up in a barn?" said the house-cat scornfully. "That comes of letting such common people associate with those who have been accustomed to good society!"
The barn-cat was not ready as usual with an answer to this taunt from her enemy, for she knew she had been guilty of very great rudeness; and Mrs. Polly, knowing that although her manners were rough her heart was a very good one, kindly went on with her remarks:—