Sauntered grandly out of the room.
The kittens were silent for a short time, then they began again. “I shall try and climb the curtain again,” said Minette. “I shan’t,” said Tompkins, “I shall think of some quite new game.”
Salome woke up again. “What are you two chatterboxes talking about?” she asked.
“About the kitchen kittens, mother,” Minette replied.
“I don’t wish to be proud,” said Salome, “but really you mustn’t associate with people like that.”
“But, mother,” protested Tompkins, “the kitchen kittens are so clever.”
“In what way?” asked Salome. “I don’t see anything clever in stealing milk; it is just a common cat’s trick.”
Tompkins began to feel rather annoyed; the kitchen kittens were his friends and he admired them. He thought them so bright and clever, and Salome rather unfair. Then a naughty, mischievous idea came into his head, and looking very impudent, he asked his mother, “Do you know what they called you?”
“Oh, Tompkins!” begged Minette, “please don’t be such a tell-tale.”