“Yes, thank you,” said the cat, looking longingly at the table.
“Take this chair,” invited Mary Frances, pointing to the dolphin’s place.
The cat leaped up on the chair, and carefully tucked a napkin into the collar on its neck. Mary Frances filled a plate with turkey and potatoes and gravy, and set it before the cat, who politely waited for her to take her place and begin to eat.
“Do not wait for me, Kitty,” said his hostess; “I’ve finished this course, thank you.”
Soon nothing was left on the plate.
Just as Mary Frances was going to suggest that ice cream might make a nice dessert, the cat began to tremble. It trembled so that the ship shook all over.
“Why, what is the matter?” asked Mary Frances. “Are you chilly?”
“Oh, dear, no,” replied the cat, its teeth chattering. “Oh, dear, no; but I forgot! The pirate will hang me! He will! He will!”
“Why will he hang you?” asked Mary Frances, quite bewildered, and a little frightened.