"'The Felis domestica question.'
"'Ah, that must indeed be interesting! And—er—what may be the Felis do—do—'
"'Domestica—not dodo. Felis domestica, the common or garden cat.'
"'Indeed,' I murmured.
"'You are not listening,' he said.
"I only half heard him. I could not turn my eyes from his daughter's face.
"'Cat!' shouted the bald one, and I almost leaped from my chair. 'Are you deaf?' he inquired, sympathetically.
"'No—oh no!' I replied, coloring with confusion; 'you were—pardon me—you were—er—speaking of the dodo. Extraordinary bird that—'
"'I was not discussing the dodo,' he sighed. 'I was speaking of cats.'
"'Of course,' I said.