Jack and Grace wore one waterproof , and Annie was hoarse with leading her choir of birds on the floating island . Also several of the pirates wore their beards twisted round behind for the sake of convenience in eating . All were wet , warm , and weary , but all rejoiced over the success of the day 's delights , and it was unanimously agreed that this had been the jolliest Fourth they had ever known . IV . SEVEN BLACK CATS . They all came uninvited , they all led eventful lives , and all died tragical deaths ; so out of the long list of cats whom I have loved and lost , these seven are the most interesting and memorable . I have no prejudice against color , but it so happened that our pussies were usually gray or maltese . One white one , who would live in the coal-bin , was a failure , and we never repeated the experiment . Black cats had not been offered us , so we had no experience of them till number one came to us in this wise . Sitting at my window , I saw a very handsome puss come walking down the street in the most composed and dignified manner . I watched him with interest , wondering where he was going . Pausing now and then , he examined the houses as he passed , as if looking for a particular number , till , coming to our gate , he pushed it open , and walked in . Straight up to the door he came , and finding it shut sat down to wait till some one opened it for him . Much amused , I went at once , and he came directly in , after a long stare at me , and a few wavings of his plumy tail . It was evidently the right place , and , following me into the parlor , he perched himself on the rug , blinked at the fire , looked round the room , washed his face , and then , lying down in a comfortable sprawl , he burst into a cheerful purr , as if to say , -- `` It 's all right ; the place suits me , and I 'm going to stay . '' His coolness amused me very much , and his beauty made me glad to keep him . He was not a common cat , but , as we afterward discovered , a Russian puss . His fur was very long , black , and glossy as satin ; his tail like a graceful plume , and his eyes as round and yellow as two little moons . His paws were very dainty , and white socks and gloves , with a neat collar and shirt-bosom , gave him the appearance of an elegant young beau , in full evening dress . His face was white , with black hair parted in the middle ; and whiskers , fiercely curled up at the end , gave him a martial look .
Every one admired him , and a vainer XXXXX never caught a mouse .
Annie Jack coal-bin fire purr puss pussies right shirt-bosom wavings