"Are you willing to take a good deal of trouble, Philip?" asked his
mother. "If not, it would be kinder to kill the poor thing quickly."
"I am willing; indeed I am!" cried the boy. "Please tell me what to do."
"You should give her a saucer of warm milk, with a little bread crumbed
in it first; for the poor kitten must be very hungry. Then she will know
you mean to be kind to her. After that she had better sleep. When she
wakes up she will begin to feel at home, and then I think we must sponge
her gently with warm water, because she is so very dirty. You must not
do that alone, but you may hold her and stroke her softly, and if you
think she will scratch you I will get you a pair of old gloves."
"Can we not put her in a little tub and bathe her?" asked Philip.
[Illustration: GENTLE KITTY GRAY.]
"It is not best to do that if you can get her clean any other way. Cats
do not like water, and it frightens them very much, to be put into it.
Once in a great while we hear of cats that will be patient if put into a
bath, but usually they will struggle and cry and act very much
frightened. As soon as this kitten has been fed and begins to get over
her fright at being homeless, you will see her wash herself.
"Then you must make her feel at home," said Mrs.
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