“Oho!” purred Jimmy Dory in my ear. “The green-eyed monster has got our sister by the tail. She's jealous of the youngest member of the sacred collective body.”
“To condescend to the present case,” pursued Serena, steaming grandly along with her speech, “should a young kitten undertake all alone, a long and perilous journey into the wilds of an unknown land?”
Jimmy Dory clapped his paws together. “Yes, yes, she should.”
Serena glared at him. “No, a thousand times no. Do not risk the Benjamin of the family in any wild and impracticable search for happiness. Rather let the young and frivolous creature remain within the circle of the sacred family. Let one of the older members heroically and generously offer herself on the altar of family affection. Let the kitten stay and comfort the declining years of its aged parents. Let the dear, sister cat go.”
She had to stop here. No one could hear a word of what she was saying on account of Jimmy Dory's actions. He suddenly fell over on the heap of cushions. He just yelled with delight. Serena glared angrily at him for a few instants. Her speech was not half done. Then, as he did not recover, she took to slapping and pinching him. Finally, she pushed him on the floor.
Jimmy Dory rolled over and over, kicking enjoyably, and just shrieking with laughter and wickedness. He only controlled himself when my father joined Serena, and they both cuffed and beat him into submission.
I never saw my father, the Piebald Prince, in such an unprincelike rage. “Stand there, sir,” he said, holding Jimmy Dory in a corner, “and explain yourself,” and he gave him another whack to bring him to.
“Oh! spare your wrath for mercy's sake,
And let me just a few breaths take,”
gasped Jimmy. “I will explain. I will electrify you, my revered and honored sire. You have been deluded, sir; basely deluded and humbugged.”