Tom goes to look for Cats. 63

 

 

Tom, or she'll see us. Don’t move or say a
word.”

Tom blew out the candle. They stood
quite still and quiet. It looked blacker than
ever all round. The footsteps in the next
room stopped moving, and the voice did not
call again.

“She’s gone back to bed,” whispered
Bob, joyfully. “ Hurrah! llystrike another
match.” |

“Stop,” said Tom. “I’ve settled I won't
hold the candle any longer. I don’t believe
there are any cats there. Besides, if there
were, why should you poke at them? Why
shouldn’t they squall ?”

“TI tell you,” said Bob, “ they’ve a right to
squall, but no right to squall here. It dis-
turbs the public sleep, We are doing a
public service.’

“JT don’t care a bit about the public,” said
Tom, “and I’m going down. You had better
come also. It’s very cold and dark.”

Bob stood a minute longer.

“Well,” _ he said at last, “I don’t. think