"Puss in Boots!" exclaimed the beggar-man with surprise. "Why, I once stopped at a castle where there was a most wonderful cat. He was the seneschal, I think, and a most intelligent animal."
"Where was the castle?" asked Puss. "I mean, in what country?"
"I don't remember," replied the beggar-man. "You see, I have begged at so many back doors and so many postern gates that I have them all jumbled up together in my memory."
"Dear me," said Puss. "Will I ever find anybody who really knows where my father lives?"
"Pease porridge hot,
Pease porridge cold,
Pease porridge in the pot,
Nine days old."
Along the road came a man with a big white apron over his coat. In front of him he wheeled a little cart in which was a large pot of porridge.
"Some like it hot,
Some like it cold,
Some like it in the pot,
Nine days old."
"Well, it won't be in that pot even nine minutes!" cried the beggar-man. "Here, my good friend," he cried, "give me sixpence worth of your porridge, and be quick about it."
"Don't be in a hurry," said the porridge-man. "Where's the sixpence?"
"Here in my good right hand," replied the beggar-man.