‘If you please,’ said David, ‘will you tell me where to go next?’
Every cat stopped licking itself, and looked at him. Some cat behind him said:
‘Lor! it’s the boy from the nursery.’
David turned round. All the cats had begun licking themselves again, except a large tabby, only instead of being black and brown, it was the colour of apricot jam and poppies.
‘Was it you who spoke?’ said David.
‘Set to partners!’ said the tabby, and they all began dancing again.
‘Shoo, you silly things,’ said David, stamping again. ‘I don’t want to stop your dancing, except just to be told where I’m to go, and what I’m to do if I’m hungry.’
The dancing stopped again.
‘There is a pot of mouse-marmalade somewhere,’ said the tabby, ‘only you mustn’t take more than a very little bit. It’s got to last till February.’
‘But I don’t like mouse-marmalade,’ said David.