Down went the desk-cover on her paws.
"There now, lie still! Oh, _hear_ her mew! What shall we do ?" Quick footsteps were on the stairs--halfway up; merry laughter, and a dozen voices.
"Here's the biscuit.

Here, kitty, kitty, _poor_ kit-ty, do _please_ to lie still and eat it! Oh, Joy Breynton, did you ever ?" "There, she's eating!" "Shut the desk--hurry!" When the girls came in, Joy and Gypsy were in their seats, looking over the arithmetic lesson.

Joy's book was upside down, and Gypsy was intensely interested in the preface.
Miss Cardrew came in shortly after, and stood warming her fingers at the stove, nodding and smiling at the girls.

All was still so far in the desk.

Miss Cardrew went up and laid down her gloves and pushed back her chair.