No.... Let me alone. I'm asleep. I'm not even conscious of my body. What torment to live with you! I've eaten, it's two o'clock, let's sleep. TOBY-DOG I can't. Something's made a ball in my stomach. It means to go down I guess, but very slowly. And then,--these _flies_, these _flies_! The eyes start out of my head at the sight of one of them. I'm all jaws, bristling with terrible teeth (just hear them snap), yet the infernal things escape me. Oh! my ears! Oh! my poor, sensitive, brown belly! My feverish nose! There! ... you see?... right on my nose! _What_ shall I do? I squint all I can ... two of them now?... No ... only one ... no, two!... I toss them up like bits of sugar and it's the empty air I snap.... I'm worn out. I detest the sun, and the flies, and everything!... (_He wails_.) KIKI-THE-DEMURE, (_sitting up, his eyes pale from the light and sleepiness_) Well, you've succeeded in waking me. That's all you wanted, isn't it? My dreams are gone! These flies that you're pursuing--I hardly felt their little teasing feet through my thick fur. The merest touch, like a caress, now and then thrilled along the silky sloping hairs which clothe me.... But then you never act with any discretion. Your vulgar gayety is a nuisance, and when sad you howl like a low comedian. TOBY-DOG, (_bitterly) _ If you woke up just to tell me _that_-- KIKI-THE-DEMURE, (_correcting_) Of course you'll remember 'twas _you_ woke me. TOBY-DOG I was so uncomfortable, I wanted someone to help me, to give me a word of encouragement.... KIKI-THE-DEMURE _I_ don't know any digestive words. (_Pause_.) Fancy their giving _me_ a bad character when ... Just examine your conscience a bit and compare us. Hunger and heat wear you out and drive you mad; cold makes your blood curdle.... TOBY-DOG, (_vexed_) Mine is a sensitive nature. KIKI-THE-DEMURE A demoniacal nature, you mean! TOBY-DOG No, I don't mean that. You--you're a monstrous egoist. KIKI-THE-DEMURE Perhaps.... You and the Two-Paws don't understand what you're pleased to call a cat's egoism.... Our instinct of self-preservation, our dignity, our modest reserve, our attitude of weary renunciation (which comes of the hopelessness of ever being understood by them), they dub, in haphazard fashion, egoism. You're not a very discriminating dog, but at least you're free from prejudice. Will _you_ understand me better? A cat is a guest in the house, not a plaything. Truly these are strange times we're living in! The Two-Paws, He and She, have _they_ alone the right to be sad or joyful, to lick plates, to scold, or to go about the house indulging their capricious humors? I too have _my_ whims, _my_ sorrows, _my_ irregular appetite, _my_ hours of reverie when I wish to be alone.... TOBY-DOG, (_attentive and conscientious_)