Трое в лодке не считая собаки

           Andinthemidstoftheriotthatsweetyoungladyreturned,andsnatchedupthatsweetlittledogofhers(hehadlaidthetykeupforamonth,andhadontheexpression,now,ofanew-bornlamb)intoherarms,andkissedhim,andaskedhimifhewaskilled,andwhatthosegreatnastybrutesofdogshadbeendoingtohim;andhenestledupagainsther,andgazedupintoherfacewithalookthatseemedtosay: "Oh,I’msogladyou’vecometotakemeawayfromthisdisgracefulscene!" 

           ShesaidthatthepeopleattheStoreshadnorighttoallowgreatsavagethingslikethoseotherdogstobeputwithrespectablepeople’sdogs,andthatshehadagreatmindtosummonsomebody. 

           Suchisthenatureoffox-terriers;and,therefore,IdonotblameMontmorencyforhistendencytorowwithcats; buthewishedhehadnotgivenwaytoitthatmorning. 

           Wewere,asIhavesaid,returningfromadip,andhalf-wayuptheHighStreetacatdartedoutfromoneofthehousesinfrontofus,andbegantotrotacrosstheroad. Montmorencygaveacryofjoy—thecryofasternwarriorwhoseeshisenemygivenovertohishands—thesortofcryCromwellmighthaveutteredwhentheScotscamedownthehill—andflewafterhisprey. 

           HisvictimwasalargeblackTom. Ineversawalargercat,noramoredisreputable-lookingcat. Ithadlosthalfitstail,oneofitsears,andafairlyappreciableproportionofitsnose. Itwasalong,sinewy-lookinganimal. Ithadacalm,contentedairaboutit.