“No, I don’t, Toney Buck. I never was a kitten. I mean when I was a happy fairy in Elfland, before I was changed into a cat for being cruel and selfish.”
“Snooks!” answered Toney sceptically.
“Who?”
“Snooks! It won’t do, you know. There ain’t no fairies, nor moonland, and such nonsense.”
“Supposing my shape were to change again, [[112]]here under your very nose; would you believe what you saw?”
“Rather! but you can’t do it, puss.”
“Can’t I? You shall see,” replied Tabby. “Say: ‘Sevle naila rtsua’ very slowly. Now!”
“ ‘Sevle naila rtsua,’ ” cried the boy in a brisk tone; but he had no sooner uttered the words than the black cat vanished into thin air, and in its place he beheld a wee, thin, elderly gentleman dressed in hunting costume, seated astride the back of the chair, who bowed very politely and lifted his hat to the astonished messenger.
“Well I never!” cried Toney. “Who are you, pray?”
“ ‘Sevle naila rtsua!’ ” replied the little man, laughing.