“Oh!” she exclaimed; “I forgot.”
“Forgot what?” he answered, with a pull forward. “Don’t be stupid. Come on.”
“Why, Snip and Snap,” said Maisie eagerly, still holding back. “It wouldn’t be a good home. They’d chase it. Don’t let’s speak to Dr Price about it. It wouldn’t be any use.”
“We must speak to him now,” said Dennis, going steadily on, and dragging Maisie with him. “Perhaps he’ll know of some one, if he can’t have it himself. You ask,” he added hurriedly, as they came close to the doctor.
Dr Price took off his hat, and smiled down very kindly at Maisie, as she put her question. She spoke hesitatingly, for the sight of Snip and Snap had reminded her of their habits. On most days their swift white forms were to be seen scouring over the country in search of rabbits, or other small defenceless creatures. Dr Price on horseback, and his terriers on foot, were well known for many miles round Fieldside, and Maisie could not help thinking them most unsuitable companions for the grey kitten.
This seemed to strike the doctor himself.
“Well now, that’s very kind of you, Miss Maisie,” he said, looking thoughtfully at the bowl of his pipe; “but the fact is I’m not much of a hand at cats myself. And then—there are the dogs, you see—”
“Would they chase it?” asked Maisie, glancing at them.
“Why, they’re thoroughbred, you know,” said the doctor apologetically.
“What a pity!” said Maisie, who thought it must be some very bad quality.