Page 11 - The Adventures of Puss in Boots, Jr.

"Some like it hot, Some like it cold, Some like it in the pot, Nine days old."

"Well, it won't be in that pot even nine minutes!" cried the beggar-man. "Here, my good friend," he cried,
"give me sixpence worth of your porridge, and be quick about it."

"Don't be in a hurry," said the porridge-man. "Where's the sixpence?"

"Here in my good right hand," replied the beggar-man.

"Ah!" said the porridge-man, "you shall have your porridge."

"I will also have some," said Puss.

"Hot or cold?" asked the man.

"You take yours hot and I'll take mine cold," said the beggar-man, and in a few minutes the porridge was all
gone.

PUSS FOLLOWS WEE WILLIE WINKIE

The vesper bells were ringing as Puss, Jr., entered the great gate that led into the city of Babylon. Along the
street the lamps were being lighted and their flickering gleams sent the shadows hiding in building and alley.

Puss, however, in spite of shadows, trudged on with a brave heart, waiting for an opportunity to get his supper
and a comfortable place to sleep.

Suddenly he was startled by a strange sight. A small boy in his nightgown came racing down the street:

"Wee Willie Winkie runs through the town, Up-stairs and down-stairs in his nightgown, Rapping at the
windows, crying through the lock, 'Are the children in their beds? It's past eight o'clock!'"

"Wait for me!" cried Puss, Jr., but Wee Willie Winkie did not stop. On he ran, turning the next corner before
Puss could overtake him. Half-way down the block Puss stopped and ran up the steps of a small house. Lifting
the big brass knocker, he let it fall with a rap that soon brought a maid to the door.

"Goodness me!" she exclaimed. "What have we here?"

"Is anybody at home?" said Puss, flicking the dust off the red tops of his boots in a most unconcerned way, as
if, indeed, he had been accustomed to making calls all his life.

The maid held out a little silver tray. "I will take your card."

Poor Puss! He didn't have any!

"But I'm Puss in Boots, Junior," he said, with such a lovely purr that the maid opened the door wide:

"Come in, dear Puss, Junior."

Just then Wee Willie Winkie ran down the stairs, crying: "Are the children in their beds? It's past eight
o'clock." Closing the front door, he whispered through the keyhole, "Are the children in their beds?" And
before he reached the sidewalk he turned back and, rapping on the window, cried, "It's past eight o'clock!"