"Hallo!" she said. "Come to see my cats?"
"Yes, please," said Bets. "Miss Harmer, wasn't it awful Dark Queen being stolen whilst you were away?"
"Yes," said the kennel-girl, stirring the food in the pan. "I wish I hadn't gone. I should only have taken half a day, really; but Mr. Tupping offered to look after the cats for me if I'd like the whole day — so I thanked him and went. But I've reproached myself ever since."
"Mr. Tupping offered to look after the cats, did you say?" said Pip, full of amazement at the thought of Tupping offering to do anyone a kindness. "Golly! that's not like him."
"No, it isn't," said the girl, with a laugh. "But I badly wanted to go home, and I can't unless I have a whole day, because my home is so far away. Do you collect railway tickets? Because the collector didn't take my ticket when I got back to the station last night. You can have it if you like."
Pip did collect railway tickets. He took the return-half that Miss Harmer held out to him. "Thanks," he said, "I'd like it." He put it into his pocket, thinking how envious Larry would be, for he collected railway tickets too.
"Do you think Luke stole the cat, Miss Harmer?" said Pip.
"No, I don't," said Miss Harmer. "He's a bit silly, but he's honest enough. But I tell you who might have taken the cat — that circus friend of Luke's! What's his name now — Jake, I think it is."
This was news to the two children. Luke had never told them about Jake. A circus friend! How exciting! Why had Luke never mentioned him?
"Does Jake live near here?" asked Pip.