_I_'m going to do that, too, after this." "There are lots of things you wouldn't dare say before everybody," averred Dora.
"No, there isn't." "There is, too.

Would you," demanded Dora gravely, "would you say 'tomcat' before the minister ?" This was a staggerer.

Davy was not prepared for such a concrete example of the freedom of speech.

But one did not have to be consistent with Dora.
"Of course not," he admitted sulkily.
"'Tomcat' isn't a holy word.

I wouldn't mention such an animal before a minister at all." "But if you had to ?" persisted Dora.
"I'd call it a Thomas pussy," said Davy.
"_I_ think 'gentleman cat' would be more polite," reflected Dora.
"YOU thinking!" retorted Davy with withering scorn.
Davy was not feeling comfortable, though he would have died before he admitted it to Dora.