Read Online The Cats in the Doll Shop by Yona Zeldis McDonough - Free Book Online

see Mr. Greenfield at F.A.O. Schwarz, I want to show her to him. How do you feel about that?”
    How do I feel about that? I am thrilled. Just thrilled. But then I think about Tania. Will she let her doll go long enough for Mr. Greenfield to see it? Maybe Papa can explain it to her. I hope so.
    Although we have not discussed it, Tania has taken over the job of leaving food out for Ginger Cat, who seems to grow tamer by the day. Esther helped me tell Tania about Plucky, and she’s eager to see him, too. That evening, I bring Tania up to the roof, so we can look for Plucky from there. He’s about a month old, and his fur, now fuller and a creamy apricot, will be visible from up above. We have to wait, but soon we spot him, hopping along on three legs. The useless hind paw that dangled from his leg is no longer there. It must have fallen off, just like Papa said.
    As soon as she sees him, Tania grabs my hand and starts jabbering away in Yiddish. Her whole face is different, her eyes brighter, her smile wide. I wish I could understand what she is saying, but whatever it is, I can see that she has fallen in love with him already. Well, who wouldn’t love Plucky?
    Despite his having only three legs, he seems very spry. He’s just a little thin, that’s all. But his fur, even from this distance, seems dull. A bit matted, too. Is he getting enough to eat? I don’t think so. It’s already October. Today there is a slight chill in the air, and the afternoon sunlight is fading quickly. Soon it will be winter. What will happen to Plucky then?
    I look at Tania again. She is still gazing at Plucky. Does she know that he may be in danger? I have to talk to Papa, I decide. Right away. I take Tania’s hand to lead her down with me. It is clear that she does not want to follow me. She plants herself on the roof and points to Plucky.
    â€œI know you want to watch him some more,” I tell her. “But he’s looking too thin. Underfed . Maybe he has a disease. We have to tell Papa.” I point to Plucky and close my eyes, moaning, like I am sick. That seems to get through, because she willingly follows me downstairs.
    I expect to find Papa in the shop, but he is in the apartment. In our room, in fact. He looks upset about something. Quite upset.
    â€œWhere was it?” he asks Trudie and Sophie, who are both sitting on their beds with their feet drawn up tightly under them. “Show me exactly where you saw it.”
    â€œIt was right there, Papa,” Trudie says, pointing. “It was just a little bitty thing. Gray, with a long tail. I don’t think it would hurt anyone. But it did scare me. It was so fast!”
    â€œWhat was so fast?” I say, looking from my sister to my father. Though I think I already know.
    â€œA mouse!” says Trudie. “In our room!”
    â€œFirst downstairs, now up here . . .” mutters Papa.
    My heart starts beating very fast. If there are mice in our room, I have a good idea why. It must be because of the food that Tania has been hiding.
    â€œIt’s because of her!” Sophie cries, pointing at our cousin. “She’s been hiding food in her bed! She does it at school, too. All the kids know.”
    I look at Sophie, horrified. Surely Tania does not understand the words. But the tone, the look, the accusing finger—those are the same in any language.
    â€œWhat’s all the yelling about?” Mama comes into the room.
    â€œTrudie and Sophie saw a mouse,” Papa explains. “And Sophie says it’s because Tania has been hiding food under her pillow.”
    Mama looks from Sophie’s angry face to Tania’s frightened one. She begins talking to Tania in Yiddish, and her gentle tone makes Tania’s expression relax just a little. Then Mama takes Tania’s hand and leads her to the bed. She motions for Tania to move the pillow aside, and with great reluctance, Tania does as she is asked. Silently,