When he let Bessie out of her cage and put her on the piano to sing the 'Mocking Bird,' the joy of the visitors knew no bounds.
"'Have you a parrot, Jeannette ?' he asked one of the little barefooted girls, whose dancing black eyes showed how much she enjoyed Bessie's performance.
"'No, but I have two lovely cats.' She made the announcement as if very proud of their ownership.
"'I have a cat too.

He dresses in black and wears long white whiskers, and looks just like a respectable old colored man.' This description amused the children very much.
"'What's your cat's name ?' they shouted.
"'Jett.

What do you call your cats, Jeannette ?' "'The big one is _Boule de Neige_ and the little one is _Jaune Jaquette_.' "'What queer names!' exclaimed Mary Ethel.

'How did you happen to select such names for them ?' "'Oh, miss, because the names do suit them so well.' "'They don't sound like any cats' names that ever I heard.

I don't understand how they would suit.' Mary Ethel looked perplexed.
"'Why, miss, on account of the color of those cats, to be sure,' said Jeannette in surprise.
"'Pooh!' explained Johnny, 'that's easy.