"I guess it's a fountain! Oh, Father, where are you going to put it--on the side lawn?
And will it have goldfish in it, and shiny stones, and green water plants growing in it ?" "Wait a minute, Mops; don't go so fast! You see, it isn't a fountain, and if you should put water and goldfish in it, you'd spoil it entirely." "And any way, Father," said King, "you said it was a pet, didn't you ?" "Yes, my boy, a sort of pet." "Can it talk ?" "No, it can't talk." "Oh, I made sure it was a talking machine.

What kind of a sound does it make ?" "Well, it purrs sometimes." "Then it is a kitten after all," cried Kitty.
"No, it isn't a kitten.

It's bigger than a kitten." "An old cat!" said Marjorie, scornfully.
"Pooh," said King, "we'll never get at it this way.

Of course it isn't a cat! Father wouldn't make so much fuss over just a cat." "But I'm not making a fuss," protested Mr.Maynard; "I only told you I had adopted a new pet, and suggested you guess what it is.

If you give up I'll tell you." "I don't give up," cried Kitty; "what color is it ?" "Red," answered her father.
"Ho!" cried Kitty, with a sudden flash of inspiration, "it's an automobile!" "Right you are, Kitsie," said her father, "though I don't know why you guessed it so quick." "Well, nothing else is red and big.