“What do you mean, you young villain?” inquired our parent, still holding Jimmy in the corner, and gazing suspiciously over one shoulder toward the door, as if fearful that some wicked stranger had entered the room. “Nay, sir,” panted Jimmy Dory, with a ludicrous imitation of Serena's grand manner, “the danger lies not without, 'tis within. We are all victims of a fraud, sir, a shameless, lying fraud.”
My poor father was so bewildered that he did not know what to do, and yet he might have known that it was only some of Jimmy Dory's tricks.
“If you don't explain yourself,” he said furiously, “I will give you the greatest mauling that you have ever had yet.”
Jimmy Dory partly recovered himself. “Sir, I would not have you soil your paws with the fighting that you so much detest. Now, listen, and your wrath will be diverted from your hopeful kitten son, to your eldest hopeful kitten daughter. Our Serena, sir, our talented eldest sister, has ambitions outside this same sacred family.”
For answer, our father shook him.
Jimmy Dory went on unconcernedly. “You yourself, sir, have often pointed out to me the fact that cat nature is full of contradictions. Would you dream that cultured, domestic, home-loving, sister Serena has ambitions beyond our domestic hearth, that in cat spirit she daily and nightly roams the world, in search of adventure?”
“You are a story-teller,” responded my father excitedly. “Stop these aspersions on your sister's character.”
Jimmy Dory put up a protesting paw, and went on, “A long time I have suspected it. When sister Black-Face went out into the world, I fancied that sister Serena slightly envied her. Now my suspicions are verified. Your eldest daughter, sir, is trying to pull the hair over your venerable eyes. She wants you to recall Black-Face, and let her take her place at the Denvilles'.”
My father was just about to shake him again, when Jimmy Dory dexterously wriggled himself away and cried, “Look at her! Is not guilt painted on her shameless face?”
We did look at her, and if ever a cat looked guilty Serena did. She stood with drooping head—no words came to her.