"Yes, Mamma, and so are you, I am sure. Arthur has brought the fish, and Annie has gone to cook it before Hannah comes in." And as she spoke, an appetizing smell of fried fish came up the stairs, and the other cat pricked up her ears and sniffed, and finally went out of the room after her rival, closely followed by Molly, whose keener nose had detected a difference in the smell that had drawn Bob downstairs. She closed her mother's door, and opened the staircase window as she passed, and then ran down to the kitchen, where she fully expected to hear that Arthur was perpetrating some mischief.
There were the cats, each with a plate of nicely-browned fish, which they were growling over with delight, while Arthur was laughing and Annie looking on, half-amused, half-alarmed, with the raw fish only just put into the frying-pan.
"What is it? What have you done?" asked Molly.
"Bought the beasts two pennyworth of fried fish instead of giving eighteen pence a pound for soles for them. And just see how they enjoy it too!" added Arthur, as one of the cats looked up at him, licking her lips, as if asking for more.
"Well, if it doesn't make them ill, I shall be very glad, for it was such a small fish you brought, Mamma would hardly have had a bit," said Annie.
"Look here, we must do something like this to lessen our expenses," said Arthur. "How much do we owe the fishmonger?" he suddenly asked.
"Oh, a few pounds! I shall have to let Mr. Andrews know that all our money has gone again."
"But he said you would have to make it last until the end of the quarter," exclaimed Molly. "But I can't—it's impossible. I have not been able to pay the bills as it is," retorted Annie. "Mamma must have what she fancies; it is so little she can eat."
"Well, we must feed the cats down here, and then that will cost less, though I don't believe I should ever have thought of it, if Arthur had not bought this fish. Why, they have had a better supper for twopence than if Arthur had spent another shilling for filleted soles, and I am sure they have enjoyed it quite as much."
"Of course they have, and the fish is good, or people would not eat it, even if they are poor," said Arthur.