bran and sawdust, and she likes it no more than I."

"Ate up her mother!"

"Yes. She was a superb Cyprus cat, all gray; but, alas! one day she
took a walk in the street, and they caught her, and then indeed it
was all over with her. I only hope Minette will not get out, but
she is so lean that they would find little but bones and fur."

"Ah! how I wish I could take you and her home to Uncle Joe, and give
you both good bread and milk! Take my hand, and shut your eyes, and
we will wish and wish very hard, and, perhaps, you will come there
with me. Paris is not very far off."



CHAPTER XVI. THE AMERICAN GUEST.

No; wishing very hard did not bring poor little French Coralie home
with Lucy; but something almost as wonderful happened. Just at the
time in the afternoon when Lucy used to ride off on her dream to
visit some wonderful place, there came a ring at the front door; a
quite real substantial ring, that did not sound at all like any of
the strange noises of the strange worlds that she had lately been
hearing, but had the real tinkle of Uncle Joe's own bell.

"Well," said Mrs. Bunker, "what can that be, coming at this time of
day? It can never be the doctor coming home without sending orders!
Don't you be running out, Miss Lucy; there'll be a draught of cold
air right in."