"You mean I'm not wanted," said Alligator crossly. "Very well, I'll not go where I'm not asked. I'll hunt alone."
"Dear me," said Hortense, "now he'll go and swallow something he shouldn't."
"Maybe I will and maybe I won't," said Alligator. "It depends on my appetite."
"Swallow me," said Malay Kris, "and I'll show you a thing or two. I'll run you as full of holes as a colander."
"You're not to my taste," said Alligator, yawning horribly. "If I cared to, I would."
Malay Kris glared at Alligator, but as it was of no use to attack his thick hide, which was as tough as iron, he did nothing more and Hortense dragged him away.
"Save your wrath," she said.
"I have so much I don't need to save it," said Malay Kris. "The more I spend, the more I have."
Nevertheless he came obediently enough, and Hortense and Highboy and Malay Kris climbed to the attic, went through the trapdoor, and hid in the little room. They left the door open a bit so that they could see out, and all crouched on the upper stair waiting for whatever was to come.
"What's that?" said Malay Kris. "I heard a sound."