THE PARTY.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 52, 2 March 1929, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE PARTY.

Kitty Whitenose was going to give a Christmas party, and great excitement existed among the kittens of the district, who were invited —and among those who were not. "Really," said Mrs. Sliarpclawa to Mrs. Whitewhiskers, "I would never have allowed my kitten to go to such a party. Imagine our kittens going to Kitty Wliitenoses's party." "Indeed, I have heard that Kitty has disgraceful manners," replied Mrs. Whitewhiskers, "and I never allow my kittens to associate with them." "Manners!" cried Mrs Sharpclaws. "If she had any manners she would have invited our kittens, even although we would not have consented for them to go." "Well, maybe we would have, you know—even if just to display their perfect manners to those other kittens," admitted Mrs. Whitewhiskers. Old Mrs. Allblack was busy knitting mittens for her kitten, Bunty; and Mrs. Tabbytail was trying to decide what colour bow her little kitten Fluffiecoat should wear to the party. Mrs. Silvertabby, a dainty creature, had decided upon a pink ribbon for her Flossie. "Because it will blend with the pink of her nose, you know," she explained to Mrs. Tortashell, as they drank a saucer of milk together one afternoon. At last came the day for which Mrs. Whitenose had been preparing, and such a busy time she had had, visiting the Catsmeatman, the milkman and lots of others. The first to come were the Allblacks and the Tabbvtails. Mrs. Tabbytail had decided upon a golden ribbon for Fluffiecoat, "because it matches hsr eyes," she told old Mrs. Allblack, for you see, she heard Mrs. Silvertabby say exactly the same about her Flossie's nose. As soon as they arrived, Kitty came to meet them with open paws, and presently the kittens were being given hot milk. '

"Wait till you see the supper!" purred Kitty. "I'm simply longing to begin!" What a time tliey had! The old cats sat watching their kittens with admiration, but of course they pretended to admire others. Flossie Silvertabby had coinc late, because she had come along the fence tops to escape spoiling her pink ribbon. She was very shy, and seemed to be prepared to follow her mother during the evening. "What a pretty ribbon, Flossie. Where did you get it?" cried Kitty. V I had a blue one, but I took it off because it dipped in the milk. You'd better, too." Bunty Allblack mewed with anger as Tommy Tabhytail stepped on her tail. "I lost both my mittens," she purred, "and ma knitted them on purpose for tonight," and off she skipped to supper. Supper consisted of sprats, mouse patties. milk| hot and cold, f-parrow pies and fish pies. Every kitten }-te lots more than was good for it, and then came the games. "Dear, dear,'' wailed Mrs. Silvertabby, when she saw Flossie's riboon. "The kittens are too excited."

"Kittens will be kittens,'' Mrs. Whitenose murmured. "Isn't your Buntv delightfully black, Mrs. Allblack!" exclaimed Mrs. Tabby - tail, hoping for a compliment for her Bunty. "Yes, not a white hair 011 her," agreed Mrs. Allblack with an admiring glance. "She's very clumsy, I'm sure!'' snapped Mrs. Tabbytail. "Indeed!" cried Mrs. Allblack. "Just look what Kitty has done to her nose!" and they glared at each other. Wise Mrs. Whitenose arrived hastily with hot milk, and so saved a quarrel. When every lap of hot milk and every pie was gone the sleepy kittens curled up and went to sleep in the corners, and were gathered up and taken home by their mothers. So Kitty Whitenose's Christmas party ended just as dawn was breaking, "when cats run home."