Two little kittens, quite aristocratic,
Lived in a rummagy, cobwebbed attic.
They were no commonplace cats, if you please,
But sleek-coated, fine-furred, thorough Maltese.
Said one to the other, “It is a shame
That we two kittens have never a name.
We belong to no one, none belongs to us,
Though I’ve heard some call our mother ‘Ma’am Puss.’”
“Hark!” said the other, “here mother comes now.
We’ll both of us set up a dismal meow.
If she boxes our ears, or gives a cuff,
Or asks if we haven’t had food enough,
We’ll tell her our grief is deeper than that,
We think it a shame that so proud a cat
Should have two children with no names, at all.
And then we will mew and cat-er-waul,
Till she tells us how she came to be named.
We will let her know that we feel ashamed.”
With a waving tail, and a stately tread,
In came the mother cat, stopped short, and said,
“What has happened, children, since I went out?
What in the world is this fuss about?”
“O, mother, mother! we cannot be blamed;
Tell us, dear mother, why we are not named;
We are so ashamed, oh, what shall we do!
Meow, meow! O, dear mother! Meow, meow! Mew, mew!”
“Well,” said their mother, “blood will tell, I’m sure;
Such ambitious kittens show Maltese, pure.
Let me think, my dears, of some right good plan;
Now, keep very still, for I must and can.”
Then, softly licking one little, grey kit,
By the nape of the neck she picked up it,
And marched off grandly, came back for the other,
And laid it down gently beside its brother.
On the bed of her mistress, Florence Flippet,
One on her muff, and one on her tippet,
Then sat down, placidly washing her face,
Well pleased that her kits were in a good place.
“I declare!” said Florence, “what is on my bed?
A tail—paws—claws—and a little grey head,
Two new kittens, as I live. I declare!
I wonder who on earth could put them there.
Oh, they’re yours, Ma’am Puss; well, they are too sweet.
I will keep them both; to make them complete
Each shall have a ribbon, one red, one blue.
Indeed, Ma’am Puss, I’m much obliged to you.
They shall have milk whenever they can sip it,
I’ll call one Muff, and the other one Tippet.”
Ma’am Puss winked slyly, not saying a word,
Rubbed against her mistress, and softly purred.
That is all about it, for so, you see, it came
These aristocratic kittens each had a name.
