She had taught them to behave well at meals , so , though their eyes glared and their tails quivered with impatience , they obeyed ; and when she put the food on a high shelf and retired to the big basket , the four old cats sat demurely down before her , while the five kits scrambled after her and tumbled into her lap , as if hoping to hasten the desired feast by their innocent gambols . Granny , Tobias , Mortification , and Molasses were the elders . Granny , a gray old puss , was the mother and grandmother of all the rest . Tobias was her eldest son , and Mortification his brother , so named because he had lost his tail , which affliction depressed his spirits and cast a blight over his young life . Molasses was a yellow cat , the mamma of four of the kits , the fifth being Granny 's latest darling . Toddlekins , the little aunt , was the image of her mother , and very sedate even at that early age ; Miss Muffet , so called from her dread of spiders , was a timid black and white kit ; Beauty , a pretty Maltese , with a serene little face and pink nose ; Ragbag , a funny thing , every color that a cat could be ; and Scamp , who well deserved his name , for he was the plague of Miss Bat 's life , and Molly 's especial pet . He was now perched on her shoulder , and , as she talked , kept peeping into her face or biting her ear in the most impertinent way , while the others sprawled in her lap or promenaded round the basket rim . `` My friends , something very remarkable has happened : Miss Bat is cleaning house ! '' and , having made this announcement , Molly leaned back to see how the cats received it , for she insisted that they understood all she said to them . Tobias stared , Mortification lay down as if it was too much for him , Molasses beat her tail on the floor as if whipping a dusty carpet , and Granny began to purr approvingly . The giddy kits paid no attention , as they did not know what house-cleaning meant , happy little dears ! `` I thought you 'd like it , Granny , for you are a decent cat , and know what is proper , '' continued Molly , leaning down to stroke the old puss , who blinked affectionately at her . `` I ca n't imagine what put it into Miss Bat 's head . I never said a word , and gave up groaning over the clutter , as I could n't mend it . I just took care of Boo and myself , and left her to be as untidy as she pleased , and she is a regular old -- '' Here Scamp put his paw on her lips because he saw them moving , but it seemed as if it was to check the disrespectful word just coming out . `` Well , I wo n't call names ; but what shall I do when I see everything in confusion , and she wo n't let me clear up ? '' asked Molly , looking round at Scamp , who promptly put the little paw on her eyelid , as if the roll of the blue ball underneath amused him . `` Shut my eyes to it , you mean ? I do all I can , but it is hard , when I wish to be nice , and do try ; do n't I ? '' asked Molly .
But Scamp was ready for her , and began to comb her hair with both paws as he stood on his hind legs to work so busily that XXXXX laughed and pulled him down , saying , as she cuddled the sly kit .
Bat Granny Maltese Molly Muffet Ragbag Tobias Toddlekins dears left