"Haven't you got a kitten of your own?" asked Gus.
"No," she replied; "I think I must adopt this one."
"P'raps you've a dog?" he suggested.
"No, I have not," she replied. "We had a splendid dog here—dear old Towser—but he died in the spring, and grandpapa has not yet got another. He was such a good house-dog; it is a pity he died."
"It is," said Gus, quite innocently. He had finished his cake, and he remembered that Lucas and Jack were waiting for him; but on his own account, he felt in no hurry to depart.
"Take another piece of cake," said the young lady; "I am sure you must be hungry."
"No more, thank you," said Gus. "I must be going. I was hungry, for it's about the time we have our dinner."
"What, at twelve o'clock? That seems very early to me."
"Does it?" said Gus. "What time do you have your dinner then?"
"Not till seven o'clock in the evening; but we have a meal in the middle of the day which is almost like a dinner."