“What fer?”

“Oh, cat-fur to make kitten breeches.”

Mild laughter.

“I heard that you gave Jake the mitten last night.”

“Who told ye?”

“Oh, a little bird.”

“Say! Who did tell ye?”

“You'll never, never tell if I do?”

The clock near the patiently waiting doctor struck nine quick short strokes.

“Did you hear that?” asked the first voice, startled.