re you telling us that you have found a way of teaching animals to talk?'Sir Wilfrid was saying.'And our dear old Tobermory is your first successful student?'
'I have studied this problem for seventeen years,'said My Appin,'but I didn't have any real success until eight or nine months ago.Of course,I have studied thousands of animals,but recently I have worked only with cats.A cat,of course,is a wild animal who agrees to live with you.All cats are intelligent,but naturally some cats are more intelligent than others.When I met Tobermory a week ago,I realized at once that here was an extraordinarily intelligent cat,a very special cat indeed.In Tobermory,I found the student I needed.Withi him I have succeeded in my plan.'
Nobody laughed,and nobody actually said'Rubbish',althought Clover's lips moved silently...
'And have you really taught Tobermory,'asked Miss Resker,'to say and understand short,easy words?'
'My dear Miss Resker,'said Mr Appin patiently,'we teach little children and very slow,stupid adults in that way.But Tobermory is a most intelligent cat.He can speak English as well as you or I can.'
This time Clovis said'Rubbish!'aloud.
Sir Wilfrid was more polite,but it was clear that he didn't believe Mr Appin's story.'
'Shall we bring the cat in here nad hear him for ourselves?'said Lady Blemley.
Sir Wilfrid went off ot look for Tobermory.
'Mr Appin will try to be clever,'said Miss Resker happily,'but if we watch him carefully,we shall see his lips move.'
In a minute Sir Wilfrid returned,looking very excited.
'It's true,you know!'he said.'I found Tobermory sleeping in the smoking-room,and called out to him to come for this tea.He lifted his head and opened one eye.I said,"Come one,Toby,don't sleep us waiting!"and he said calmly,"I'll come when I'm ready!"I couldn't believe my ears!'
The guests all started talking at once,while Mr Appin satsilently and looked very pleased with himself indeed.
Then Tobermory entered the room and calmly walked over to the tea table.The conversation stopped.Nobody knew what to say to a talking cat.At last Lady Blemley spoke:
'Would you like some milk,Tobermory?'she asked in a high,unnatural voice.
'I don't mind if I do,'answered Tobermory.Lady Blemley's hand shook with excitemtne and some of the milk went onto the carpet.
'Oh dear,I'm so sorry,'she said.'
'I don't mind.It isn't my carpet,after all,'replied Tobermory.
There was another silence,then Miss Resker asked politely,'Did you find it difficult to learn English,Tobermory?'
Tobermory looked straight through her with his birght green eyes.Clearly,he did not answer questions that did not interest him.
'What do you think of the intelligence of people?'asked Mavis Pellington.
'Which people's intelligence?'asked Tobermory coldly.
'Well,my intelligence,for example,'said Mavis with a little laugh.
'You make things very uncomfortable for me,'said Tobermory,although he did not look at all uncomfortable.'When Lady Blemley wanted to invite you here,Sir Wilfrid was not pleased."Mavis Pellington is the stupidest woman I know," he said."That's why I want to invite her,"Lady Blemley replied."I want her to buy my old car,and she's stupid enough to do that."'
'It isn't true!'cried Lady Blemley.'Don't believe him,Mavis!'
'If it isn't true,'said Mavis coldly,'why did you say this morning that your care would be jusr right for me?'
Major Barfield did his best to help.He tried to stard a new conversation.'How are you getting on with your little black and white lady friend in the garden?'he asked Tobermory.
Everybody realized at once that this was a mistake.
Tobermory gave him an icy look.'We do not usually discuss these things in polite company,'he said.'But I have watched you a little since you have been in this house.I think perhaps you would not like me to discuss your lady friends.'
The Major's face became very red,and all the other guests began to look worried and uncomfortable.What was Tobermory going to say next?'
'Would you like to go down to the kitchen now,Tobermory,'asked Lady Blemley politely,'and see if the cook has got your dinner ready?'
'No,thank you,'said Tobermory.'I've only just had my tea.I don't want to make myself sick.'
'Cats have nine lives,you know,'said Sir Wilfrid with a laugh.
'Possibly,'answered Tobermory.'But only one stomach.'
'Lady Blemly!'cried Mrs Cornstt,'Don't send that cat to the kitchen.He will talk about us to the cook!'
Everyone was ery worried now.They remembered uncomfortable that Tobermory moved freely all over the house and gardens,at all hours of the day and night.He could look into any of the bedrooms if he wanted to.What had he seen?'What had he heard?Nobody's secret were safe now.
'Oh,why did I come here?'cried Agnes Resker,who could never stay silent for long.
'You know very well why you come here,'said Tobermory immediately.'You come for the food,of course.I heard you talking to Mrs Cornett in the garden.You said that the Blemleys were terribly boring people,but they had an excellent cook.'
'You mustn't believe him!'cried Agnes.'I never said that,did I,Mrs Cornett?'
'Later,Mrs Cornett repeated your words to Bertie vanTahn,'said Tobermory.'She said,"That Resker woman will go anywhere for four good meals a day,and Bertie said-'
Just then Tobermory looked out of the window and saw the doctor's big yellow cat crossing the garden.Immediately he disappeared through the open window.
Everyone started talking at once,and Mr Appin found himself in a storm of angry questions.
'You must stop this at once,'everyone said to him.'What will happen if Tobermory teachers othere cat to talk?We shall never have a moment's peace!'