"If I may," said Mr. Polly.
"You're a rum un," said Mrs. Larkins, and called: "Miriam!"
Minnie appeared at the door of the room looking infinitely perplexed.
"There ain't a little dog anywhere, Elfrid," she said.
Mr. Polly passed his hand over his brow. "I had a most curious
sensation. Felt exactly as though something was up somewhere. That's
why I said Little Dog. All right now."
He bent down and pinched his bicycle tire.
"You was saying something about a cat, Elfrid," said Minnie.
"Give you one," he answered without looking up. "The very day my shop
is opened."
He straightened himself up and smiled reassuringly. "Trust me," he
said.