“You are not as sour as you were,” said Phi.
“‘Oh, no,’ said Dum and Dee. ‘It is folly to be sour when sweet is better. We found that out.’
“‘You might have your pictures taken now,’ said Phi.
“‘We’re so happy we don’t care to,’ said Dum and Dee. ‘Good day to you.’
“‘Beware of guns,’ said a faint voice near by.
“It was the faint voice of a feeble cat who had crept under a bush to die.
“‘We’re not afraid,’ said Dum and Dee. ‘We have our nine lives, you know.’
“‘Go not quickly through them as I have done,’ said the feeble cat. ‘Beware of dogs, beware of stones, beware of guns, beware of shutting up, beware of boys, beware of drowning, beware of hot water, beware of stepping on, beware of wet blacking-brushes.’
“‘I have lived eight lives, and am now dying of a spot of blacking.’