On a
sofa three or four others had the portfolio of pictures spread out.
Others came to my cage coaxing me to whistle for them, while Johnny
capered hither and thither and joked and had more funny things to say
than anybody in the room. When he let Bessie out of her cage and put
her on the piano to sing the 'Mocking Bird,' the joy of the visitors
knew no bounds.
"'Have you a parrot, Jeannette?' he asked one of the little barefooted
girls, whose dancing black eyes showed how much she enjoyed Bessie's
performance.
"'No, but I have two lovely cats.' She made the announcement as if
very proud of their ownership.
"'I have a cat too. He dresses in black and wears long white
whiskers, and looks just like a respectable old colored man.' This
description amused the children very much.
"'What's your cat's name?' they shouted.
"'Jett. What do you call your cats, Jeannette?'
"'The big one is _Boule de Neige_ and the little one is _Jaune
Jaquette_.'
"'What queer names!' exclaimed Mary Ethel. 'How did you happen to
select such names for them?'
"'Oh, miss, because the names do suit them so well.'
"'They don't sound like any cats' names that ever I heard. I don't
understand how they would suit.' Mary Ethel looked perplexed.
"'Why, miss, on account of the color of those cats, to be sure,' said
Jeannette in surprise.
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