“Didn’t you ever see Tip again?” asked Mr. Rooster and Mr. Dog.
“Oh yes, I saw him once after that,” said Mr. Tom Cat, with a yawn.
“Why didn’t you catch him?” they asked, together.
“Oh, Tip was in a trap when I saw him,” said Mr. Tom Cat.
“Was it one of those traps that catch them by the head?” asked Mr. Dog.
“No, it was a little wire affair,” said Mr. Tom Cat, “and I looked in and saw him running about.”
“Why didn’t you catch him then when the master opened the trap? Didn’t they give you a chance at him?”
“No, Mr. Dog,” said Mr. Tom Cat, looking very lofty. “I am a sportsman and no true sportsman ever touches a caged mouse. Tip was let out of the trap, and the master thought I would catch him, but I didn’t even run after him, and for all I know Tip may be living yet. I will do my own hunting and catching; none of those traps can ever help me to get a mouse.”
“Some of his grandchildren might go back there to live, even if Tip did not return to the hole in the wall,” said Mr. Dog.
“It might be that those very mice that were running about last night were some of his relations.”