"I know that because when Mrs.
Nathaniel Rogers' old white cat brought all her kittens over here the first of this summer you wouldn't even put them out in the yard at night, to say nothing of drowning them.

All six and the mother cat stayed here and fairly swarmed over you and ate you out of house and home.

Father said he believed they fed at the first table and you were taking what was left.

It was a mercy the old cat decided to lead them back to the Rogers' again or I don't know WHAT might have become of you by this time." Jed seemed to be thinking; there was a reminiscent twinkle in his eye.
"The old cat didn't lead 'em back," he said.

"Nathaniel took 'em back.