she occasionally scratched her neck with

her paw to make that fascinating padlock rattle. She did it in a very unconscious manner, but she knew all the time that the house-cat was watching her out of the corner of her eye, and was secretly jealous of the beautiful collar.

"That's a very pretty collar you have on," said the canary.

"A present from Posy," answered the barn-cat.

"Very becoming to your complexion. 'Neat, but not gaudy,' as the monkey said when they painted his tail sky-blue," said the sparrow gallantly.

"Humph! red and yellow go well together," sneered the house-cat. "It brings out her charming coloring!" and she gave a taunting laugh.

"Our friend always looks well to me," said Mrs. Polly politely.

"Well, I guess you're going to be sick,"