Sandy; and these neckties and tabby muslins – quite the latest from Catchester. Is it for yourself or for a lady, Mr. Alexander?’ ‘Well, it’s for a guinea-pig, to tell you the truth, Miss Louisa.’ ‘A guinea-pig! is that a species of wild boar, Mr. Sandy? Does it bite?’ ‘No, no! A most genteel and timid little animal, Miss Louisa. He is going to play in our circus, and we want to dress him up; something bright coloured and tasty –’ ‘I feel confident that we can supply every requisite article of apparel. What is his complexion? And what character will he impersonate?’ inquired Miss Louisa Pussycat; she liked long words. ‘He is lemon and white. We thought of calling him the Sultan of Zanzibar. How about a bandana pocket handkerchief? Can you show me any?’ ‘Excellent. We have a choice selection. Scarlet and gold would become him admirably. And permit me to suggest a yellow sash and a green turban; quite the height of fashion,’ said Miss Louisa Pussycat, opening cardboard boxes and unwrapping packages. ‘I don’t think a turban would stick on, he has such a lot of hair. We were going to roll it up on the top of his head, with a hatpin stuck through it. By the bye, that reminds me, I am forgetting hairpins – hairpins with a bend in them, Miss Louisa; he has difficulty in doing up his hair.’ ‘Dear me, how remarkable! Cannot he have it shingled? But it would be bad for trade. You would be surprised how the sale of hairpins has diminished; we are seldom asked for them.’ Miss Louisa clattered open numbers of little drawers behind the counter in search of hairpins. Finally she called through the window into the kitchen – ‘Sister! Sister Matilda! Where are the hairpins?’ ‘Miaw! miaw! oh, bother!’ moaned Miss Matilda, ‘I put them away in the attic; they are never wanted.’ She was heard climbing the staircase.

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‘We can supply every requisite article of apparel.’

Sandy chose a scarlet, gold and chocolate coloured pocket handkerchief, and a green sash ribbon. ‘Allow me to recommend the purchase of this hatpin with a glass knob; it will shimmer in the sunshine like a diamond,’ said Miss Louisa, who was greatly interested in the Sultan’s costume.

Miss Matilda came downstairs with a packet of hairpins. ‘Here! take them. Mi-i-a-ow! Oh, my poor mouth!’ Her face was swelled like a cabbage, and she had a strip of red flannel pinned round her head. ‘Let me look at it; I have had experience of bones sticking fast,’ said Sandy. ‘If I were sure you would not scratch me, I believe I could get it out.’ ‘Indeed, I should be thankful; she mews all night,’ said Miss Louisa Pussycat. ‘I’ll scratch both of you if you touch me,’ said Matilda. ‘Matilda, this is folly. Open your mouth.’ ‘Louisa, I won’t,’ replied Matilda. ‘Oh, all right; please yourself,’ said Sandy. ‘Will you make out my bill, Miss Louisa.’ ‘Let me see – half a yard of ribbon at 9 peppercorns a yard, 4½. One crystal hatpin, 7 peppercorns; one pocket handkerchief, 11 peppercorns; that makes 22½ peppercorns.’ ‘Miaw! You have forgotten to charge for the hairpins, Louisa.’ ‘Hairpins, 1½ peppercorns. That gets rid of the half. Small change is troublesome, is it not, Mr.