Mr. Hick glared at the cook as if he would like to drown her as well as the cat. "Why you want to keep such an ugly and vicious animal, I cannot think," he said. "And good heavens above - are those kittens in that basket?"
"They are, sir," said Mrs. Minns, her voice rising high. "And good homes I've found for every single one of them, when they're old enough."
Mr. Hick then saw the two children, and appeared to be just as displeased to see them as he had been to see the kittens.
"What are these children doing here?" he asked sharply.
"You ought to know better, Mrs. Minus., than to keep your kitchen full of tiresome children and wretched cats and kittens! Tell them to go!"
He marched out of the door, first setting down the empty cup and saucer he was carrying. Mrs. Minns glared after him.
"For two pins I'd bum your precious cottage down if it wasn't already gone!" she called after Mr. Hick, when he was safely out of hearing. Sweetie rubbed against her skirt, purring loudly. She beat down and stroked her.
"Did the nasty man tramp on you?" she asked fondly. "Did he say nasty things about the dear little kittens? Never you mind., Sweetie!"
"We'd better be going," said Daisy, afraid that Mr. Hick might hear what Mrs. Minns was saying, and come back in a worse temper than ever. "Thank you for all you've told us, Mrs. Minus. It was most interesting."
Mrs. Minns was pleased. She presented Pip and Daisy with a ginger bun each. They thanked her and went, bubbling over with excitement.