<SPAN name="startofbook"></SPAN>
<h1 class="faux">KIT AND KITTY</h1>
<div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/cover.jpg" width-obs="508" height-obs="800" alt="cover" /></div>
<div class="tnote2"><b>Transcriber's Note:</b> This cover has been created by the
transcriber by adding text to the original cover and is placed in the public domain.</div>
<hr class="chap" />
<div class="maintitle">KIT AND KITTY</div>
<hr class="chap" />
<p class="copyright">
LONDON:<br/>
PRINTED BY GILBERT AND RIVINGTON, LD.,<br/>
ST. JOHN’S HOUSE, CLERKENWELL ROAD, E.C.<br/></p>
<hr class="chap" />
<div class="maintitle">
KIT AND KITTY<br/>
<br/>
<small>A Story of West Middlesex</small></div>
<div class="center"><br/><br/>
<small>BY</small><br/>
<br/>
<span class="author">R. D. BLACKMORE</span><br/>
<span class="authorof">AUTHOR OF LORNA DOONE, SPRINGHAVEN, CHRISTOWELL, ETC.</span><br/>
<br/><br/><br/>
“Si tu Caia, ego Caius.”<br/>
<br/><br/><br/><br/>
<i>NEW AND CHEAPER EDITION</i><br/>
<br/><br/><br/><br/>
<small>LONDON</small><br/>
SAMPSON LOW, MARSTON & COMPANY<br/>
<i><small>Limited</small></i><br/>
<b>St. Dunstan’s House</b><br/>
<span class="smcap">Fetter Lane, Fleet Street, E.C.</span><br/>
1894<br/>
[<i>All rights reserved</i>]<br/></div>
<hr class="chap" />
<div class="bbox">
<div class="adtitle2">BY THE SAME AUTHOR.</div>
<p class="center"><i>Crown 8vo. 6s. each in handsome uniform cloth binding.</i></p>
<ul class="booklist"><li>ALICE LORRAINE.*</li>
<li>CLARA VAUGHAN.*</li>
<li>LORNA DOONE.*</li>
<li>CHRISTOWELL.*</li>
<li>CRADOCK NOWELL.*</li>
<li>CRIPPS THE CARRIER.*</li>
<li>MARY ANERLEY.*</li>
<li>TOMMY UPMORE.</li>
<li>SPRINGHAVEN.</li>
<li>KIT AND KITTY.</li></ul>
<p class="center"><i>Volumes marked * can be had in boards, 2s.; cloth, 2s. 6d. each.</i><br/>
—————————</p>
<div class="hang1">
Crown 4to. about 530 pp., with very numerous full-page
and other Illustrations, cloth extra, gilt edges,
31<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i>, very handsomely bound in vellum, 35<i>s.</i>, an
<i>Edition de Luxe</i> of LORNA DOONE. Beautifully
illustrated Edition. (A choice presentation volume.)</div>
<p class="center">—————————</p>
<div class="hang1">SPRINGHAVEN: a Tale of the Great War. By <span class="smcap">R. D.
Blackmore</span>, author of ‘Lorna Doone.’ With 64 Illustrations
by <span class="smcap">Alfred Parsons</span> and <span class="smcap">F. Barnard</span>. Square demy 8vo.
cloth extra, gilt edges, price 12<i>s.</i> and 7<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></div>
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<br/>
<small><span class="smcap">London</span>:</small><br/>
SAMPSON LOW, MARSTON & COMPANY,<br/>
<i>Limited</i>,<br/>
<small>St. Dunstan’s House, Fetter Lane, Fleet Street, E.C.</small><br/></p>
</div>
<hr class="chap" />
<h2>CONTENTS.</h2>
<div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/doodad1.jpg" width-obs="69" height-obs="11" alt="decoration" /></div>
<div class="center">
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents">
<tr>
<td align="left" colspan="2"><small>CHAPTER</small></td>
<td align="right"><small>PAGE</small></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">I.—</td>
<td align="left">UNCLE CORNY</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_1">1</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">II.—</td>
<td align="left">MY KITTY</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_3">3</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">III.—</td>
<td align="left">THE TIMBER-BRIDGE</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_7">7</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">IV.—</td>
<td align="left">PEACHES, AND PEACHING</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_12">12</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">V.—</td>
<td align="left">A LITTLE TIFF</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_18">18</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">VI.—</td>
<td align="left">THE BEAUTIES OF NATURE</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_22">22</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">VII.—</td>
<td align="left">DE GUSTIBUS</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_29">29</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">VIII.—</td>
<td align="left">BAD COUNSEL</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_37">37</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">IX.—</td>
<td align="left">A DOG VIOLATE</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_42">42</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">X.—</td>
<td align="left">AN UPWARD STROKE</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_50">50</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">XI.—</td>
<td align="left">THE FINE ARTS</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_55">55</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">XII.—</td>
<td align="left">AN EMPTY PILE</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_61">61</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">XIII.—</td>
<td align="left">MY UNCLE BEGINS</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_67">67</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">XIV.—</td>
<td align="left">AND ENDS WITH A MORAL</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_74">74</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">XV.—</td>
<td align="left">MORAL SUPPORT</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_82">82</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">XVI.—</td>
<td align="left">TRUE LOVE</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_89">89</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">XVII.—</td>
<td align="left">TRUE FATHER</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_96">96</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">XVIII.—</td>
<td align="left">FALSE MOTHER</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_102">102</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">XIX.—</td>
<td align="left">DOE DEM. ROE</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_109">109</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">XX.—</td>
<td align="left">AUNT PARSLOW</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_115">115</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">XXI.—</td>
<td align="left">A TULIP BLOOM</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_122">122</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">XXII.—</td>
<td align="left">COLDPEPPER HALL</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_128">128</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">XXIII.—</td>
<td align="left">AT BAY, AND IN THE BAY</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_135">135</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">XXIV.—</td>
<td align="left">HARO!</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_141">141</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">XXV.—</td>
<td align="left">ON THE SHELF</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_149">149</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">XXVI.—</td>
<td align="left">A DOWNY COVE</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_155">155</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">XXVII.—</td>
<td align="left">OFF THE SHELF</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_162">162</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">XXVIII.—</td>
<td align="left">OUT OF ALL REASON</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_168">168</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">XXIX.—</td>
<td align="left">A FINE TIP</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_175">175</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">XXX.—</td>
<td align="left">BASKETS</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_183">183</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">XXXI.—</td>
<td align="left">THE GIANT OF THE HEATH</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_189">189</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">XXXII.—</td>
<td align="left">A DREAM</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_199">199</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">XXXIII.—</td>
<td align="left">URGENT MEASURES</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_206">206</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">XXXIV.—</td>
<td align="left">TWO TO ONE</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_214">214</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">XXXV.—</td>
<td align="left">UNDER THE GARDEN WALL</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_219">219</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">XXXVI.—</td>
<td align="left">FROST IN MAY</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_226">226</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">XXXVII.—</td>
<td align="left">COLD COMFORT</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_233">233</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">XXXVIII.—</td>
<td align="left">NONE</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_241">241</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">XXXIX.—</td>
<td align="left">ON TWO CHAIRS</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_248">248</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">XL.—</td>
<td align="left">JOB’S COMFORT</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_256">256</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">XLI.—</td>
<td align="left">TRUE COMFORT</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_262">262</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">XLII.—</td>
<td align="left">BEHIND THE FIDDLE</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_268">268</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">XLIII.—</td>
<td align="left">THE GREAT LADY</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_275">275</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">XLIV.—</td>
<td align="left">MET AGAIN</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_282">282</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">XLV.—</td>
<td align="left">ROGUES FALL OUT</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_288">288</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">XLVI.—</td>
<td align="left">TONY TONKS</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_296">296</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">XLVII.—</td>
<td align="left">TOADSTOOLS</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_303">303</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">XLVIII.—</td>
<td align="left">THE DUCHESS</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_310">310</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">XLIX.—</td>
<td align="left">CRAFTY, AND SIMPLE</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_317">317</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">L.—</td>
<td align="left">A POCKETFUL OF MONEY</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_325">325</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">LI.—</td>
<td align="left">NOT IN A HURRY</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_332">332</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">LII.—</td>
<td align="left">A WANDERING GLEAM</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_338">338</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">LIII.—</td>
<td align="left">A BAD NIGHT</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_343">343</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">LIV.—</td>
<td align="left">PRINCE’S MANSION</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_350">350</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">LV.—</td>
<td align="left">RELIEF OF MIND</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_356">356</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">LVI.—</td>
<td align="left">ANOTHER TRACE</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_359">359</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">LVII.—</td>
<td align="left">A VAIN APPEAL</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_366">366</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">LVIII.—</td>
<td align="left">UNCLE CORNY’S LOVE-TALE</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_373">373</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">LXIX.—</td>
<td align="left">A COOL REQUEST</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_380">380</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">LX.—</td>
<td align="left">ALIVE IN DEATH</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_387">387</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">LXI.—</td>
<td align="left">ZINKA</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_396">396</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">LXII.—</td>
<td align="left">HASTE TO THE WEDDING</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_402">402</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">LXIII.—</td>
<td align="left">THERE SAT KITTY</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_408">408</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">LXIV.—</td>
<td align="left">A MENSÂ ET TORO</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_414">414</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">LXV.—</td>
<td align="left">HER OWN WAY</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_420">420</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right">LXVI.—</td>
<td align="left">ONE GOOD WISH</td>
<td align="right"><SPAN href="#Page_427">427</SPAN></td>
</tr>
</table></div>
<hr class="chap" />
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</SPAN></span></p>
<h2>KIT AND KITTY.</h2>
<div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/doodad2.jpg" width-obs="80" height-obs="12" alt="decoration" /></div>
<h2>CHAPTER I.<br/> <small>UNCLE CORNY.</small></h2>
<p class="unindent"><span class="smcap">My</span> name is Christopher Orchardson, of Sunbury in Middlesex;
and I have passed through a bitter trouble, which I will try
to describe somehow, both for my wife’s sake and my own, as
well as to set us straight again in the opinion of our neighbours,
which I have always valued highly, though sometimes unable
to show it. It has not been in my power always to do the
thing that was wisest, and whenever this is brought up against
me, I can make no answer, only to beg those who love blame
to look at themselves, which will make their eyes grow kinder,
before they begin to be turned on me.</p>
<p>For five and twenty years of life I went on very happily,
being of an unambitious sort, and knowing neither plague nor
pain, through the strength of my constitution and the easiness
of my nature. Most of my neighbours seemed to live in perpetual
lack of something, and if ever they got it they soon contrived
to find something more to hanker for. There were times
when I felt that I must be a fool, or to say the least a dullard,
for slackness of perception, which kept me satisfied with the
life I had to live. But two things may be pleaded well in my
excuse on this account; in the first place, all my time was
spent among creatures of no ambition—trees, and flowers, and
horses, and the like, that have no worry; and what was even
to the purpose more, I had no money to enlarge its love.</p>
<p>For my Uncle Cornelius—better known to all who had
dealings with him as “Corny, the topper”—took care of me,
and his main care was to make me useful, as an orphan should<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</SPAN></span>
be. My father had been his elder brother, and had married
rashly a lady of birth and education far above his own, but
gifted with little else to help her, unless it were sweetness of
disposition, and warmth of heart, and loveliness. These in a
world like ours are not of much account for wearing; and she
had no chance to wear them out, being taken away quite
suddenly. My life was given at the cost of hers, and my
father, after lingering for a few months, took his departure to
look for her.</p>
<p>Old people said that my Uncle Corny had been very fond
of my mother, looking up to her in his youthful days, as a
wonder of grace and goodness. And even now when he spoke
about her, as I have known him to do after a tumbler of grog,
his hard grey eyes would glisten softly, like the vinery glass of
an afternoon, when a spring cloud passes over it. But none
the more for that did he ever plant a shilling in my youthful
hand. This proves his due estimate of money as a disadvantage
to the young.</p>
<p>My uncle possessed an ancient garden, which had once
belonged to a monastery; and the times being better than now
they are, he was enabled to work it so that he made fair living
out of it. We lived in an ancient cottage in the fine old village
of Sunbury, or rather to the westward of that village, and
higher up the river. Our window looked upon the Thames,
with nothing more than the Shepperton Road, and the slope of
the bank to look over. What with water-works, grand villas,
the railway, and other changes, the place is now so different
that a native may scarcely know it. But all was thoroughly
simple, quiet, and even dull to lazy folk, in the days of which
I am speaking.</p>
<p>My parents had managed to leave me so, or had it so
managed by a higher power, that from my very infancy I was
thrown upon Uncle Corny. He was a masterful man indeed,
being of a resolute disposition, strong body, and stout sentiments.
There was no mistaking his meaning when he spoke,
and he spoke no more than a man is bound to do, for his own
uses. Those who did not understand his nature said a great
deal against him, and he let them say it to the width of their
mouths. For he felt that he was good inside, and would be
none the better for their meddling.</p>
<p>He was now about threescore years of age, and wished himself
no younger, having seen enough of the world to know
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