"Now," said the one with the hat behind her, "I don't blame Uncle Jack for choking your brat."
"Nor Aunt Sally for throwing hot soup on him," said the other.
"Uncle Jack and Aunt Sally," said Rodney's mother, "will be important witnesses when Mrs. Rodman and her daughter return. They know all, and will tell more."
One of the ladies picked up a glass.
"How's your cat, my son?"
"My cat's nice and good and sweet."
Here both ladies spat into the glass.
"Cats are respectable and worth talking about, my son."
"This we leave with you," said the one with the hat behind her, as she set the glass upon the table.