“Yes, but only the worst side. You have told me yourself that those whom you trusted often hurled banana skins at you.”
“I’m sorry you’re going to the lake,” said Torn-nose. “Being round with you and Weejums has given me more home comfort than I have known since mother died.”
“You ought to give up being a travelling man, and settle down somewhere,” said Clytie. “Any one would be proud to own you, and it’s the cat that makes the home.”
“I never had a home,” said Torn-nose, sadly. “I’m what is known as a self-made cat.”
“Wow,—yow e-ow, pur-r-ow-ow-ow,” called Eunice and Kenneth together from their window, and Clytie heard Mrs. Wood say:
“Children, children, go to bed immediately! Isn’t it bad enough to have a cat fight under the window, without your joining in?”
“Imitation is the sincerest flattery,” called Torn-nose from the fence, as Clytie vanished in the darkness; “but how strange that they should have thought we were quarrelling!”
TORN-NOSE
Splash! came a mug of water from Biddy’s window straight into Torn-nose’s face, and Clytie heard him plunge, with a great crash, into a cold-frame in the next yard.