Do n't let the cats get into the pantry . That is what Mrs. Pennington has quarrelled with nearly every one of her girls about . '' `` It is quite a bother to keep them out , ai n't it ? '' said Nelly calmly . `` There 's dozens of cats about the place . What on earth makes them keep so many ? '' `` Mr. Pennington has a mania for cats . He and Mrs. Pennington have a standing disagreement about it . The last girl left here because she could n't stand the cats ; they affected her nerves , she said . I hope you do n't mind them . '' `` Oh , no ; I kind of like cats . I 've been tryin ' to count them . Has anyone ever done that ? '' `` Not that I know of . I tried but I had to give up in despair -- never could tell when I was counting the same cat over again . Look at that black goblin sunning himself on the woodpile . I say , Nelly , you 're not going , are you ? '' `` I must . It 's time to get dinner . Mr. Pennington will be in from the fields soon . ''
The next minute he heard her stepping briskly XXXXX the kitchen , shooing out intruding cats , and humming a darky air to herself .
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