“You certainly are the most amazing child!” cried Mam. “Who told you that?”
“No one. I just imagined it; and I will tell you why. One day last week I saw that Dad was awfully cut up about something he read in the paper. It was about the Kwantu Mines, Limited. I know, because I picked up the paper in order to see what was worrying Dad.”
“But you shouldn’t,” said Mam, though her lips quivered a little. Now, there is not a person alive who can be more affectionate than Minkie with those whom she loves. I like being petted myself, so I know. She put her arms round her mother and whispered:
“I hope Dad and you won’t fret. I am sure everything will come right in the end. Don’t you think it is a sign of something out of the common going to happen when this black prince comes to our house, a man from the very place which is causing Dad so much trouble?”
While Mam searched for her handkerchief Dan muttered to me:
“A pretty game you’ve been having here while I was looking after affairs outside. What has Schwartz been up to? And what good is a cat, anyhow?”
That put my back up.
“Let me tell you that if you had been in this room during the past five minutes you would have made a beastly fool of yourself and spoiled the finest bit of sport we’ve ever had,” said I.
He was so tickled with conceit that he sneezed.
“Go away and play, pussy,” he sniggered. “You me-ow while I act. Why, I’ve been chasing niggers all over the place.”