T.—Draw them in! Certainly not.
P.—You don't mean to say you can't do such a simple thing as that?
T.—Of course I could if I liked, but I don't choose. I think you ought to make up your mind either to have claws, or not to have them: not to be popping them in and out as you do.
P.—But it's so convenient when I walk about at night, to be able to steal about gently and then shoot out my claws when I see a mouse.
T.—Oh, how tempting that sounds! Then it's always at night you hunt?
P.—Oh, always. There is no one to see or to disturb you.
T.—Exactly. Now, when I go out with my master, if I go after a hen or a rabbit, I am beaten at once.
P.—Fancy being beaten for a hen!
T.—Isn't it absurd! Just for an idiotic bird like that!
P.—Who can't lap, or scratch!