I’m entitled to nine names as I’ve nine lives, said the cat. But I’ll settle for Lieutenant «Willow» with «Puss» for playful moments.€

Right,€ said the Colonel. And now we’ll show our guests their sleeping quarters.

Oh, please,€ begged Missis. Couldn’t we get just a glimpse of the puppies before we sleep?€

The cat shot a quick look at the Colonel and said, I’ve told them the pups won’t be out for hours yet.€

Besides, you’d get too excited to sleep,€ said the Colonel. You must both have a good rest before you start worrying.

Worrying?€ said Pongo sharply. Is something wrong?

I give you my word there is nothing wrong with your puppies,€ said the Colonel.

Pongo and Missis believed him and yet they both thought there was something odd about his voice, and about the look the cat had given him.

Now up we go,€ the Colonel went on briskly. You're sleeping on the top floor because that's the only floor where the windows aren't broken. Want a ride Lieutenant Wib’I mean Lieutenant Tillow oh, good heavens, cat!

If there’s one thing I object to being called, it’s plain cat,€ said the cat.

Quite right. I don’t like being called plain dog,€ said the Colonel. I apologize, Lieutenant Willow. Now jump on my back unless you want to walk.€

The cat jumped on the Colonel’s back and held on by his long hair. Pongo had never before seen a cat jump on a dog’s back with friendly intentions. He was deeply impressed-both by the Colonel’s trustfulness and the cat’s trustworthiness.

The narrow, twisting stairs went up through five floors of the Folly, most of them full of broken furniture, old trunks, and all manner of rubbish. On the top floor was a deep bed of straw, brought up by the Colonel in a sack. But what interested Missis far more was the narrow window surety it must look towards Hell Hall?

She ran to see. Yes, beyond the tree-tops and a neglected orchard was the back of the black house which was as ugly as the front, though it did not have such a frightening expression. At one side was a large stableyard.

Is that where the puppies will come out?€ she asked.

Yes, yes,€ said the Colonel, but it won’t be for we!!, for some time yet.€

I shall never sleep until I’ve seen them,€ said Missis.

Yes, you will, because I shall talk you to sleep,€ said the Colonel. Your husband has asked me to tell him the history of Hell Hall. Now come and lie down.€

Pongo was as anxious to see the puppies as Missis was, but he knew they should sleep first, so he coaxed her to lie down. The Colonel pulled the straw round both of them.