"See this letter?" she said, as she showed him the little envelope. Of course, Sir Mortimer promptly smelt of it.
"Oh, you don't need to see it so CLOSE, dear," said Polly, "you can surely look at it without putting your nose on it."
He stretched out his soft paw, and caught at the envelope, as if to play with it.
"Now, Mortimer, 't isn't any use for you to take the letter, because you know, dear, you couldn't read it, but I'll tell you the best thing in it, if you'll listen."
The big cat stared at her and blinked.
"Rose is coming to see us, and Mortimer, when I say US, that means you and me. Of course she wants to see her Aunt Judith, and everyone in this town, but MOST she really wants to see us, that TRULY is you and me. Aren't you glad?"
He arched his neck, and rubbed against her, purring as if to show his delight with the news she had told him.
Polly took him in her arms, and carrying him to the hammock, seated herself, and began to swing very gently.
At another time, Sir Mortimer might have objected, but just now he was rather drowsy, and instead of jumping from the hammock, he curled up in Polly's lap, and seemed to be preparing for a nap.
"I love little pussy," sang Princess Polly, gently patting his handsome head.