old dog spot never moved from the place where he was lying in front of the kitchen table. although miss kitty cat had told him angrily that he thought she was going to enjoy a luncheon on the leg of mutton that was on the kitchen table, he didn't lose his temper.

"pardon me!" he said. "you are mistaken. i don't think you're going to have even a taste of this mutton—not while i'm in the kitchen!"

miss kitty cat was furious. she had done her best to make spot go away. she had dropped a number of hints to get him out of doors. but spot hadn't taken a single one of them.

"you're a meddlesome old dog," she scolded. "i've a good mind to drag my claws across your nose."

spot grinned at her.

"if you do," he warned her, "i shall yelp. then mrs. green will hurry back here to see what's going on. and you certainly won't get any mutton while she's in the kitchen. i happen to know that the family's going to have that leg of mutton for dinner to-morrow."

"there ought to be enough of it for everybody," miss kitty cat grumbled. "if i ate a bit of it nobody would ever miss it. and after i've finished my meal there would be nothing to prevent your helping yourself. i certainly shouldn't stand in your way—nor lie in it, either."

old dog spot couldn't help sniffing.

"i never snatch any food when mrs. green's back is turned," he told miss kitty cat severely. "she feeds me all she thinks i ought to eat. and if i want more, i hunt for it in the woods and fields."

"don't i hunt?" miss kitty cat hissed. "i keep the house free of rats and mice. mrs. green could well spare me a bit of that mutton in return for all i do for her.... i'll thank you, sir, to move away from that table!"

old spot began to look somewhat anxious. he had once felt miss kitty's sharp claws on his nose. and he didn't care to be scratched by her again. but there was the leg of mutton! he had to guard that for mrs. green.

"i wish mrs. green would come back," he said to himself. "i don't want a row with this cat person."

miss kitty suddenly spat at him.

spot knew that that was a danger sign. and he gave a few short, sharp barks.

"there!" he muttered. "that ought to fetch mrs. green. if she's in the house she can't help hearing me."

spot was right. in about a minute farmer green's wife came hurrying into the kitchen.

old dog spot jumped up and wagged his tail and gave a low-pitched bark as if to say, "i've saved your leg of mutton for you, mrs. green."

but she didn't understand him.

"you rascal!" mrs. green exclaimed. "you've been teasing the cat again. i can tell by the way she acts. out you go!" and she opened the door.

spot went.