Why did you not speak at once?
eh ?" and Peterkin put forward his mouth and kissed the cat on the nose! "Yes," continued Peterkin, after a pause, "I love you.

D'you think I'd say so if I didn't, you black villain?
I love you because I've got to take care of you, and to look after you, and to think about you, and to see that you don't die--" "Mew, me-a-w!" said the cat.
"Very good," continued Peterkin, "quite true, I have no doubt; but you've no right to interrupt me, sir.

Hold your tongue till I have done speaking.

Moreover, cat, I love you because you came to me the first time you ever saw me, and didn't seem to be afraid, and appeared to be fond of me, though you didn't know that I wasn't going to kill you.

Now, that was brave, that was bold, and very jolly, old boy, and I love you for it--I do!" Again there was a pause of a few minutes, during which the cat looked placid, and Peterkin dropped his eyes upon its toes as if in contemplation.