“Now I’m in my proper place,” said the kite as it sailed over the roofs of the houses, over the tree tops, over the golden weather vane, and even over the windmill itself.  Higher, higher, higher it flew, as if it had wings; till it slipped away from the string, and Jan never saw it again, and only the wind knew where it landed at last.

[Illustration:  “Now I am in my proper place,” said the Kite.]

MRS. TABBY GRAY

    MOTTO FOR THE MOTHER

    “All mother love attracts the child,
      Its world-wide tenderness he feels. 
    And ev’ry beast that loves her young,
      His mother’s love to him reveals.”

Mrs. Tabby Gray, with her three little kittens, lived out in the barn where the hay was stored.  One of the kittens was white, one was black, and one gray, just like her mother, who was called Tabby Gray from the color of her coat.

These three little kittens opened their eyes when they grew old enough, and thought there was nothing so nice in all this wonderful world as their own dear mother, although she told them of a great many nice things, like milk and bread, which they should have when they could go up to the big house where she had her breakfast, dinner, and supper.

Every time Mother Tabby came from the big house she had something pleasant to tell.  “Bones for dinner to-day, my dears,” she would say, or “I had a fine romp with a ball and the baby,” until the kittens longed for the time when they could go too.

One day, however, Mother Cat walked in with joyful news.

“I have found an elegant new home for you,” she said, “in a very large trunk where some old clothes are kept; and I think I had better move at once.”

Then she picked up the small black kitten, without any more words, and walked right out of the barn with him.

The black kitten was astonished, but he blinked his eyes at the bright sunshine, and tried to see everything.

Out in the barnyard there was a great noise, for the white hen had laid an egg, and wanted everybody to know it; but Mother Cat hurried on, without stopping to inquire about it, and soon dropped the kitten into the large trunk.  The clothes made such a soft, comfortable bed, and the kitten was so tired after his exciting trip, that he fell asleep, and Mrs. Tabby trotted off for another baby.

While she was away, the lady who owned the trunk came out in the hall; and when she saw that the trunk was open, she shut it, locked it, and put the key in her pocket, for she did not dream that there was anything so precious as a kitten inside.

As soon as the lady had gone upstairs Mrs. Tabby Gray came back, with the little white kitten; and when she found the trunk closed, she was terribly frightened.  She put the white kitten down and sprang on top of the trunk and scratched with all her might, but scratching did no good.  Then she jumped down and reached up to the keyhole, but that was too small for even a mouse to pass through, and the poor mother mewed pitifully.