Female sympathy ever goes to the cat, and
Emily screamed out in the fear that he would seize her, or even that
Griff might aid him. Perhaps Amos would have done so, if left to
himself; but Griff, who saw the cat was safe, could not help egging
on his dog's impotent rage, when in the midst, out flew pussy's
mistress, Dame Dearlove herself, broomstick in hand, using language
as vituperative as the cat's, and more intelligible.
She was about to strike the dog--indeed I fancy she did, for there
was a howl, and Griff sprang to his defence with--'Don't hurt my
dog, I say! He hasn't touched the brute! She can take care of
herself. Here, there's half-a-crown for the fright,' as the cat
sprang down within the wall, and Nero slunk behind him. But Dame
Dearlove was not so easily appeased. Her blood was up after our
long series of offences, and she broke into a regular tirade of
abuse.
'That's the way with you fine folk, thinking you can tread down poor
people like the dirt under your feet, and insult 'em when you've
taken the bread out of the mouths of them that were here before you.
Passons and ladies a meddin' where no one ever set a foot before!
Ay, ay, but ye'll all be down before long.'
Griff signed to us to go on, and thundered out on her to take care
what she was about and not be abusive; but this brought a fresh
volley on him, heralded by a derisive laugh.
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