ear-scratchin . Mind you, he added philosophically, there s a deal of
the same nature in us as in them theer animiles. Here s you a-comin and
arskin of me questions about my business, and I that grumpy-like that
only for your bloomin arf-quid I d a seen you blowed fust fore I d
answer. Not even when you arsked me sarcastic-like if I d like you to
arsk the Superintendent if you might arsk me questions. Without offence
did I tell yer to go to ell?
You did.
An when you said you d report me for usin of obscene language that
was ittin me over the ead; but the arf-quid made that all right. I
weren t a-goin to fight, so I waited for the food, and did with my owl
as the wolves, and lions, and tigers does. But, Lor love yer art, now
that the old ooman has stuck a chunk of her tea-cake in me, an rinsed
me out with her bloomin old teapot, and I ve lit hup, you may scratch
my ears for all you re worth, and won t git even a growl out of me.
Drive along with your questions. I know what yer a-comin at, that ere
escaped wolf.
Exactly. I want you to give me your view of it. Just tell me how it
happened; and when I know the facts I ll get you to say what you
consider was the cause of it, and how you think the whole affair will
end.
All right, guv nor. This ere is about the ole story. That ere wolf
what we called Bersicker was one of three grey ones that came from
Norway to Jamrach s, which we bought off him four years ago. He was a
nice well-behaved wolf, that never gave no trouble to talk of. I m more
surprised at im for wantin to get out nor any other animile in the
place. But, there, you can t trust wolves no more nor women.
Don t you mind him, sir! broke in Mrs. Tom, with a cheery laugh. E s
got mindin the animiles so long that blest if he ain t like a old wolf
isself! But there ain t no arm in im.
Well, sir, it was about two hours after feedin yesterday when I first
hear my disturbance. I was makin up a litter in the monkey-house for a
young puma which is ill; but when I heard the yelpin and owlin I kem
away straight. There was Bersicker a-tearin like a mad thing at the
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