“They do, too,” shot back Dot. “They need cats to keep the mice away––Meg said so once. Anyway, we can ask ’em.”
There were a number of people in the store lined up before the counter and the twins had to await their turn. They were so interested in watching one of the clerks slice ham with a machine, that when Mr. Hambert came up to them, smiling, and asked what he could do for them, they jumped.
“We don’t want to buy anything,” said Twaddles hesitatingly.
“Then you must be selling something,” Mr. Hambert laughed good-naturedly.
“No––but we came to see if you didn’t want a cat,” Twaddles announced a bit jerkily. “We––we brought you a sample!” and he pulled the little kitten from his coat and held it out to the astonished grocery clerk.
“Good gracious!” said Mr. Hambert “Are you selling cats?” 157
“We’re not selling them,” Twaddles insisted. “We’re getting homes for them. This is a sample.”
Mr. Hambert began to laugh and so did several of the customers who had been listening.
“Come, now, Hambert, you do need a cat,” said the man who was waiting for the sliced ham. “Didn’t you tell me last week your old Minnie died? Now here’s her successor. All ready delivered at your door and no trouble for you at all.”
“I can’t take cats,” Mr. Hambert retorted. “Tell you what you do, Twaddles, go into the office and see what Mr. Morris has to say.”