Kate was sternly silent, while Cyril was openly repellent.

Bertram talked, indeed--but Bertram always talked; and very soon he and Billy had things pretty much to themselves--that is, with occasional interruptions caused by Spunk.

Spunk had an inquisitive nose or paw for each new dish placed before his mistress; and Billy spent much time admonishing him.

Billy said she was training him; that it was wonderful what training would do, and, of course, Spunk WAS little, now.
Dinner was half over when there was a slight diversion created by Spunk's conclusion to get acquainted with the silent man at his left.
Cyril, however, did not respond to Spunk's advances.

So very evident, indeed, was the man's aversion that Billy turned in amazement.
"Why, Mr.Cyril, don't you see?
Spunk is trying to say 'How do you do' ?" "Very likely; but I'm not fond of cats, Miss Billy." "You're not fond--of--cats!" repeated the girl, as if she could not have heard aright.