There was only Mrs Quilp at home, and she, little expecting the return of her lord, was just composing herself for a refreshing slumber when the sound of his footsteps roused her. She had barely time to seem to be occupied in some needle-work, when he entered, accompanied by the child; having left Kit downstairs.
With these threats he clenched his hand again, and dexterously diving in betwen the elbows and catching the boy€™s head as it dodged from side to side, gave it three or four good hard knocks. Having now carried his point and insisted on it, he left off.
€œOh, Emil! Didn€™t I tell you she€™d get us into trouble of some kind, if you brought her? What made you tease me so? But there, I ought to have known better myself.€ She went to the foot of the pole and held out her arms, crying, €œKitty, kitty, kitty,€ but the kitten only mewed and faintly waved its tail. Alexandra turned away decidedly. €œNo, she won€™t come down. Somebody will have to go up after her. I saw the Linstrums€™ wagon in town. I€™ll go and see if I can find Carl. Maybe he can do something. Only you must stop crying, or I won€™t go a step. Where€™s your comforter? Did you leave it in the store? Never mind. Hold still, till I put this on you.€
€I would have you think of nothing else to-night €” of nothing but those things which will soften your heart, dear friend, and open it to old affections and old times. It is so that she would speak to you herself, and in her name it is that I speak now.€™
Landlord Cummins would listen to this, looking as unnatural as a blue china cat in a thunderstorm. He fairly hated these appearances of Billy, and they spoiled his term of office, I do believe. But all the same he turned out a very passable Mayor. The townsfolk respected him so highly, I€™ve heard my mother say, that they made him Ex-Mayor the year following.
