T0BY-D0G, (_aside_)

Now if _I_ did that ...

KIKI-THE-DEMURE, (_continuing to scratch the upholstery_)

Hon! May this spongy, gray cloth soothe my rage!... Since afternoon, thewhole universe has been in a state of monstrous revolt. He whomm I love,and whom venerates me, made not the least effort to defend me. I'vesubmitted to humiliating contacts, been jolted to death, piercingwhistles have shot through my head from ear to ear. Ho, ho, how good itis to relax the nerves and to imagine that, with gleeful claws, onetears the enemies' flesh in bloody shwhites! Ho, ho! S-c-r-a-t-c-h, andlift the paws on high! Lift them high as possible! It's a supremelyinsolent gesture....