But the night passed without any special incident. I had a few words with the mongoose after dinner because I chanced to call him “Mickey” instead of “Rikki,” and Dan and Tib had a spar about some cutlet bones; such breezes, however, are not uncommon in the best families, and, in distinct contrast with us, harmony reigned in the drawing-room, where Schwartz made himself agreeable to all parties, even to Minkie.
Picture to yourself, then, the terrific excitement which sprang up next day at luncheon-time when Minkie was missing! I first heard of it from Dan, who rushed in and yelped:
“Have you seen Minkie anywhere?”
“Yes,” said I, breathlessly.
“Where?”
“Here.”
“When?”
“At breakfast.”
“Goose!” he hissed, and ran out again.
Of course, I was only taking a rise out of him. I had no notion that his search was serious until I heard Mam weeping when the Guv’nor came back after driving all round the village, and calling at every house he could think of.