Tommy saw that he had made a mistake and hastened to rectify it by removing the mat, which being done, the smoke ascended smoothly, though the wind forced an occasional puff the wrong way.
The wrath of Mr. Floyd became mollified, and when Tommy returned he talked to him calmly, and as became a minister and a schoolmaster.
Bobsey, however, was not satisfied with the result of the evening's entertainment.
He caught up the kitchen cat, a fine tabby, which was snoring peacefully on the hearth.
"My gracious!" asked the cook, "what are you going to do?"
"The guvnor's too mean to have his chimney swept, and I'm going to do it for him."
"With what?"
"With my new patent," answered Bobsey, grinning. "I shall drop this cat down the flue and pelt her with tiles to make her hurry down. She'll come out in the parlor looking splendid, and the fire won't do more than singe her fur."
"Oh, you cruel wretch! I'll tell on you."
"You will, eh?" said Bobsey, gravely. "If you do anything so rash I'll come to your bedside in the night and cut all your hair off so short you'll have to wear a wig."