382 LADY MORGAN. the kitchen amid great applause. James the butler took it down from the lips of the young poet ; Molly corrected the proof; and at breakfast it was read to the family, winning praise from Mr. Owenson, and, which was more important, a pardon for both Sydney and Ginger. Here it is : "My dear pussy cat, Were I a mouse or rat Sure I never would run off from you ; You're so funny and gay With your tail when you play, And no song is so sweet as your mew. " But pray keep in your press, And don't make a mess When you share with your kittens our posset ; For mama can't abide you, And I cannot hide you, Except you keep close in your closet." In spite of Mrs. Owenson's antipathy to Ginger, and to most other things which her daughter particularly liked, Sydney was very fond of her mother, and her death a few years later was a terrible blow to her. It was thought best for the children to be out of the way for a few days after the event, and they were sent to stay with a friend who lived some miles distant. Sydney was not content to be separated from her father in his time of trouble. Twice she was captured and detained when about to return ; but the third time she succeeded in squeezing herself through a hole cut in the barn-door for the dog, and ran the whole way home, never pausing till she found her father and threw herself into his arms. During the next few years the condition of Mr. Owen- son's business became worse and "worse, till it at last resulted in bankruptcy, and he went away to Limerick to await a final meeting of his creditors. It was the girls'
