It was, of course, the first time in his life that Kiki-Tsum had ever gazed on such a thing.

Kiki-Tsum dropped on his knees, and gazing earnestly at the object he held in his hand, he whispered, "It is my sainted father.

He said nothing of the adventure to his young wife, for, as he said to himself "Women are curious, and then, too, sometimes they are given to talking," and Kiki-Tsum felt that it was too reverent a matter to be discussed by neighbours, this finding of his dead father's portrait in the street.

For some days Kiki-Tsum was in a great state of excitement.

Why, the portrait of a woman, and she had believed that Kiki-Tsum was so good, and so fond, and so true.

When later on Kiki-Tsum arrived, he was surprised to find nothing ready for their evening meal, and no wife.

" Kiki-Tsum was wild with indignation, and a quarrel began in good earnest.

"My children," he said, putting his head in at the door, "why this unseemly anger, why this dispute?" "Father," said Kiki-Tsum, "my wife is mad.

HE Or perhaps petting would ... (They approach the redoubtable KIKI and both speak together.)

(But before she can lift her hand against his sacred fur, Kiki gets up, stretches himself, arches his back, yawns,to show the rosy lining of his mouth, and then walks to the open basket where he lies down with an admirable air of quiet insolence.

KIKI-THE-DEMURE He speaks better than She does.

Don't you think that shows a bad character? KIKI-THE-DEMURE, (mysterious, eyes half-closed) Not at all.

KIKI-THE-DEMURE No. TOBY-DOG Run, I'll chase, without touching you.

Look out, I'm going to run at you as She does, when She's merry, crying "Ha, cat!" (KIKI-THE-DEMURE, without rising, puts up a paw bristling with claws and spotted underneath with rose color and black; it looks like a thorny flower.)

KIKI-THE-DEMURE, (ironically)

TOBY-DOG What's that? KIKI-THE-DEMURE Nothing.

KIKI-THE-DEMURE That affair couldn't have ended otherwise.

TOBY-DOG What reason? KIKI-THE-DEMURE Because of the fever.

KIKI-THE-DEMURE, (who has recovered his equanimity)

And doubtless waken Her? KIKI-THE-DEMURE, (stubbornly) I'll sing in a very small voice.

TOBY-DOG, (frightened) Are you going to die? KIKI-THE-DEMURE I hope not.

KIKI-THE-DEMURE Don't let that worry you!

For a change I suppose. KIKI-THE-DEMURE Pardon, to avoid change.

KIKI-THE-DEMURE, (standing up)

Charlotte Steiner & Mary Burlingham (A); 30Oct70; R494408. Kiki and Muffy.