Dr. Herbert Benjamin
want me to get a beating or something?”
“Where are the People?” asked Henry.
“Where are the People?” repeated the cat, scratching
behind his ears. “Don’t you know
anything?
”
“Certainly,” said Henry. “I know People are very
nice.”
“How do you know
that
?” asked the cat.
“They begin with a P.”
“You’re a peculiar,. . . ah, what did you say you
were, except a mouse-imitation, a piggle or something?”
“A pickle,” answered Henry.
“Oh yes, an icky. . . .”
“Iggy!” corrected Henry.
“Iggy if you wish. Anyway, I can’t sing at night. It’s
not allowed. Some Persons might get woke up and come
out and give me a beating.”
“Where
are
the ‘Persons?” asked Henry.
“Shh,” said the cat. “Did you hear something?”
“No,” said Henry.
“Funny,” said the cat. “I thought I heard a mouse.”
Henry looked around.
“Listen,” said the cat. “You can go iggly-wiggling
and all that, all you want. But I want you to get one
thing straight. I’m king of the whole hall at night and
you have to follow orders. Understand?
“I understand,” said Henry.
“Now my first order is, if you see a mouse, come
wake me up. I sleep in that basket over there. Otherwise
don’t bother me at all. Understand?”
“I understand.,” said Henry.
31
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