The Nannies said they would get back and see about dinner, and take the dogs with them, but the tall woman said the dogs must come in too. They are so beautiful. I want my husband to see them,€ she said.

What is your married name, Cruella?€ asked Mrs. Dearly, as they walked through a green marble hall into a red marble drawing room.

My name is still de Vil,€ said Cruella. I am the last of my family so I made my husband change his name to mine.

Just then the absolutely simple white mink cloak slipped from her shoulders to the floor. Mr. Dearly picked it up.

What a beautiful cloak,€ he said. But you’ll find it too warm for this evening.€

I never find anything too warm,€ said Cruella. I wear furs all the year round. I sleep between ermine sheets.€

How nice,€ said Mrs. Dearly politely. Do they wash well?

Cruella did not seem to hear this. She went on, I worship furs, I live for furs! That’s why I married a furrier.€

Then Mr. De Vil came in. He was a small, worried-looking man who didn’t seem to be anything besides a furrier. Cruella introduced him and then said, Where are those two delightful dogs?

Pongo and Missis were sitting under the grand piano, feeling hungry. The red marble walls had made them think of slabs of raw meat.

They’re expecting puppies,€ said Mrs. Dearly happily.

Oh, are they? Good!€ said Cruella. Come here, dogs!€

Pongo and Misses came forward politely.

Wouldn't they make enchanting fur coats?€ said Cruella to her husband. 'For spring wear, over a black suit. We've never thought of making coats out of dogs' skins.€

Pongo gave a sharp, menacing bark.

It was only a joke, dear Pongo,€ said Mrs. Dearly, patting him. Then she said to Cruella, I sometimes think they understand every word we say.€

But she did not really think it. And it was true.

That is, it was true of Pongo. Missis did not understand quite so many human words as he did. But she understood Cruella’s joke and thought it a very bad one. As for Pongo, he was furious. What a thing to say in front of his wife when she was expecting her first puppies! He was glad to see Missis was not upset.

You must dine with us next Saturday,€ said Cruella to Mrs. Dearly.

And as Mrs. Dearly could not think of a good excuse (she was very truthful) she accepted. Then she said they must not keep the de Vils any longer.

As they went through the hall, a most beautiful white Persian cat dashed past them and ran upstairs. Mrs. Dearly admired it.

I don’t like her much, said Cruella. I’d drown her if she wasn’t so valuable.