“Hain’t she ever said anything like that to you before, lass?” the cobbler suggested presently.
“She said it about me,” piped in Bobbie. 120
“An’ about Happy Pete, too,” added Lafe.
“I bet I keep ’em,” giggled Jinnie.
“I’ll bet with you, kid,” said the cobbler gravely.
“I want to see ’em!” Bobbie clamored with a squeak.
But he’d no more than made the statement before the door burst violently open and Peg stood before them. Her apron was gathered together in front, held by one gripping hand; something moved against her knees as if it were alive. In the other hand was Milly Ann, carried by the nape of her neck, hanging straight down at the woman’s side, her long yellow tail dragging on the floor. The woman looked like an avenging angel.
“I’ve come to tell you folks something,” she imparted in a very loud voice. “Here’s this blasted ragtail, that’s went an’ had this batch of five cats. Now I’m goin’ to warn y’ all––”
Bobbie interrupted her with a little yelp.
“Let me love one, Peggy, dear,” he begged.