PUSS AND HER THREE KITTENS.
Reading edition
Our old cat has kittens three; What do you think their names should be? One is a tabby with emerald eyes, And a tail that's long and slender; But into a temper she quickly flies, If you ever by chance offend her. I think we shall call her this— I think we shall call her that; Now, don't you fancy "Pepper-pot" A nice name for a cat? One is black, with a frill of white, And her feet are all white fur, too; If you stroke her, she carries her tail upright, And quickly begins to purr, too. I think we shall call her this— I think we shall call her that; Now, don't you fancy "Sootikin" A nice name for a cat? One is a tortoise-shell, yellow and black, With a lot of white about him: If you tease him, at once he sets up his back: He's a quarrelsome Tom, ne'er doubt him! I think we shall call him this— I think we shall call him that; Now, don't you fancy "Scratchaway" A nice name for a cat? Our old cat has kittens three, And I fancy these their names will be: "Pepper-pot," "Sootikin," "Scratchaway,"—there! Were there ever kittens with these to compare? And we call the old mother—now, what do you think? "Tabitha Longclaws Tiddleywink."
Thomas Hood.
