SHE, (_peremptorily_) Kiki sulks, and he hid this morning, so he'll have even less than Toby. HE He isn't making a sound. Aren't you afraid he's sick? SHE No, he's simply vexed. KIKI-THE-DEMURE, (_as soon as there's question of himself_) Me-ow! HE, (_tenderly and eagerly_) Come my beautiful Kiki, my imprisoned one, come. You shall have cold roast-beef and some breast of chicken ... (_He opens the prison basket and_ KIKI _puts forth his_ _head, flattened on top like that of a serpent; then his long, striped body, cautiously, and so very slowly that one begins to think it's coming out by the yard_.) TOBY-DOG, (_pleasantly) Ah, there you are, cat! Well, now, proclaim your freedom! (KIKI, _without replying, smoothes his ruffled fur_.) TOBY-DOG Proclaim your freedom I tell you! It's the custom. Whenever a door is opened one must run, jump, twist oneself into half circles and cry out. KIKI-THE-DEMURE _One_? Who's one, pray? TOBY-DOG We dogs. KIKI-THE-DEMURE, (_seated and very dignified_) Would you have me _bark_, too?... We have never followed the same rules of conduct, that I know of. TOBY-DOG, (_vexed_) Oh very well, I don't insist. How do you like this carriage? KIKI-THE-DEMURE, (_sniffing fastidiously_) It's frightful.--However, the cushions are rather good for one's nails. (_He suits the action to the word_.) TOBY-DOG, (_aside_) Now if _I_ did that ... KIKI-THE-DEMURE, (_continuing to scratch the upholstery_) Hon! May this spongy, gray cloth soothe my rage!... Since morning, the whole universe has been in a state of monstrous revolt. He whom I love, and who venerates me, made not the least effort to defend me. I've submitted to humiliating contacts, been jolted to death, piercing whistles have shot through my head from ear to ear. Ho, ho, how good it is to relax the nerves and to imagine that, with gleeful claws, one tears the enemies' flesh in bloody shreds! Ho, ho! S-c-r-a-t-c-h, and lift the paws on high! Lift them high as possible! It's a supremely insolent gesture.... SHE I say, Kiki, when are you going to stop that? HE, (_Indulgent and admiring_) Let him alone. He's doing his nails. KIKI-THE-DEMURE He has spoken for me. I forgive him. But since it's allowed, I don't care any more about tearing the cushions ... When will I get out of this? Not that I'm afraid; they are both there, and the dog too, with their everyday faces ... I've twinges in my stomach. (_He yawns. The train stops. A conductor on the platform cries, "Aw-ll a-bor! Aw-ll a-b-o-r-r!!"_) TOBY-DOG, (_excited_) Screaming again! Another accident?!--Let's run!... KIKI-THE-DEMURE Heavens, what a tiresome dog! What does it matter to him, if there _is_ an accident? I don't believe in it moreover. It's the cry of a man, and men cry out for the pleasure of hearing their own voices. TOBY-DOG, (_calm again_) I'm hungry. Can't we hope to eat soon, my mistress? I don't know what time it is in this strange country, but it seems to me.... SHE