This book tells the story of three little kittens, Tom Kitten, Mittens, and Moppet, the mischievous children of Tabitha Twitchit. Their mother grooms and dresses them neatly for company she is expecting, then sends them out with the admonishment that they not get dirty. They not only get dirty but lose their clothes to some passing puddle-ducks. When they return, she hides them upstairs and tells her company that they have the measles. They disturb the dignity of their mother's tea party by noisily wreaking havoc in their bedroom.