XIIITABBY, THE SABER-TOOTH, dabbed playfully at Cooper with his mighty paw.
Cooper kicked him in the ribs—an equally playful gesture.
Tabby snarled at him.
“Show your teeth at me, will you!” said Cooper. “Raised you from a kitten and that’s the gratitude you show. Do it just once more and I’ll belt you in the chops.”
Tabby lay down blissfully and began to wash his face.
“Some day,” warned Hudson, “that cat will miss a meal and that’s the day you’re it.”
“Gentle as a dove,” Cooper assured him. “Wouldn’t hurt a fly.”
“Well, one thing about it, nothing dares to bother us with that monstrosity around.”
“Best watchdog there ever was. Got to have something to guard all this stuff we’ve got. When Wes gets back, we’ll be millionaires. All those furs and ginseng and the ivory.”
“If he gets
