“And that splendid cats’ home we’ve made stopping empty all the time,” said Erebus in her most bitterly aggrieved tone.
“I don’t mind that. I’m sick of hearing about it,” said the Terror coldly. “But I do want pocket-money; and besides, Aunt Amelia will soon be wanting to know what’s happening to the home; and she’ll make a fuss if there aren’t any cats in it. So we must have cats.”
“Well, I tell you what it is: we must take cats. There are cats all over the country; and when we’re out bicycling, a good way from home, we could easily pick up one or two at a time and bring them back with us. We ought to be able to get four a day, counting kittens; and in eight days the home would be full and two over.”
“And we should be prosecuted for stealing them,” said the Terror coldly.
“But they’d be ever so much better off in the home, properly looked after and fed,” protested Erebus.
“That wouldn’t make any difference. No; it’s no good trying to get them that way,” said the Terror in a tone of finality.
“Well, they won’t come of themselves,” said Erebus.
“They would with valerian,” said Wiggins.
“Who’s Valerian?” said Erebus.
“It isn’t a who. It’s a drug at the chemist’s,” said Wiggins. “I’ve been talking to my father about cats a good deal lately, and he says if you put valerian on a rag and drag it along the ground, cats will follow it for miles.”