Chapter 5

Jazbury sat out on the kitchen steps and sulked. He did not think Aunt Tabby had any right to box his ears. And instead of being sorry for him his mother had scolded him. It wasn’t fair. He was always getting scolded and punished. Well, he’d just run away. That’s what he’d do. He’d run away and never come back. Then they’d be sorry. Maybe they’d cry. He just wished they would. He’d be glad if they cried.

Suddenly Fluffy’s little furry white face peered over the fence. “Hello, Jazbury.”

Jazbury did not answer at once. Then he said, “‘Lo!”

“What’s the matter?”

“Nothing the matter.”

“What you looking so cross about?”

“Nothing; ain’t looking cross.”

Fluffy climbed over the fence and came and sat down by Jazbury. He looked at him once or twice, but he did not say anything. He was rather afraid of Jazbury when Jazbury was in one of his tempers.

“Can’t you come over in my yard to play?” he asked at last.

“Don’t want to.”

At this moment there was a scratching sound on the fence between the yard and the lot, and a third kitten, a large yellow one, scrambled to the top of one of the fence posts and seated himself on it. It was Yowler.

“Hello, Jaz!” he called down, in the yowling voice that had given him his name.

“Hello!” answered Jazbury, still very sulky.

The newcomer took no notice of Fluffy.

“I got sumpin’ to tell you.”