“Oh, don’t—don’t!” cried Kitty, putting up her hands to her ears. “It sounds as if the world were nothing but a big dinner-table.”
“You’ve hit it to a T! A big dinner-table—with everything in it eating or being eaten,” and the creature panted out his words.
“Pray,” said Kitty, jerking her head back, “would you let me pass? I am in such a hurry.”
“Not till you have chosen what you will do—eat or be eaten,” said the creature hoarsely.
“Well, of course, I had rather eat,” said Kitty reluctantly.
“Pass on, then!” said the being of the pendulous cheeks, loosing his grasp. And then as Kitty ran along she heard him puffing, panting, rumbling out:
“Eat or be eaten—eat or be eaten.”
“What an old prose he is!” thought Kitty. “One idea goes a long way with him. If he is a goblin, they should call him ‘Gobbling’ Greediness.”
“Goblin Greediness. Take care!” whispered the guardian child.
“Oh!” cried Kitty, laughing, “I need only think of his fat, flabby cheeks and his bloodshot eyes to lose all care for eating, were I ever so hungry!”