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Julia Cary and her kitten cover

Julia Cary and her kitten

Chapter 5: CHAPTER IV. LITTLE THIEVES.
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About This Book

The narrative follows a young, motherless girl who travels with her father from the city to the countryside, observing life aboard a steamboat and noticing an emigrant family whose mutual care contrasts with material want. At relatives' farm she longs for a kitten to ease her loneliness, studies a mother cat and her kittens, and considers which to choose while relatives discuss the animals' care and consequences. Through simple episodes of travel, play, and family conversation the story examines consolation, empathy, and the distinction between monetary wealth and the comfort of affectionate bonds.

CHAPTER IV.
LITTLE THIEVES.

So now there were only two kittens in aunt Abby’s house.

Julia found them in mischief that very day, up on the kitchen table.

Aunt Abby was getting ready to make a custard. She had gone to the pantry for some eggs, and had left the milk on the table, and the sugar-jar uncovered. When she stepped out of the kitchen, the kittens stepped in. The flies, perhaps, had been in before.

No little boy or girl would meddle with sugar or milk left in the way; but it is hard to teach kittens that it is wrong to touch what is not theirs.



When aunt Abby and Julia came back with the eggs, the flies were stealing the sugar and the kittens were lapping the milk from the pan.

I wonder if those kittens told their mother that Ellen gave each of them a rap on the ear.