warm
in that compartment--no, I will not trust this basket to an
expressman; give Wilhelmina your arm and I'll follow. We go to the
Normandie, I believe?'

"All the morning I had Wilhelmina to myself, and at dinner I sat
beside her, with the professor opposite. The latter was cheerful
enough, but he nearly ruined my appetite, for he smelled strongly of
catnip. After dinner he became restless and fidgeted about in his
chair until coffee was brought, and we went up to the parlor of our
apartment. Here his restlessness increased to such an extent that I
ventured to ask him if he was in good health.

"'It's that basket--the covered basket which I have in the next room,'
he said.

"'What's the trouble with the basket?' I asked.

"'The basket's all right--but the contents worry me.'

"'May I inquire what the contents are?' I ventured.

"The professor rose.

"'Yes,' he said, 'you may inquire of my daughter.' He left the room,
but reappeared shortly, carrying a saucer of milk.

"I watched him enter the next room, which was mine.

"'What on earth is he taking that into my room for?' I asked
Wilhelmina. 'I don't keep cats.'

"'But you will,' she said.

"'I? Never!'

"'You will if I ask you to.'

"'But--but you won't ask me.'

"'But I do.'

"'Wilhelmina!'

"'Harold!'

"'I detest cats.'

"'You must not.'

"'I can't help it.'

"'You will when I ask it. Have I not given myself to you? Will you not
make a little sacrifice for me?'

"'I don't understand--'

"'Would you refuse my first request?'

"'No,' I said, miserably, 'I will keep dozens of cats--'

"'I do not ask that; I only wish you to keep one.'

"'Was that what your father had in that basket?' I asked,
suspiciously.

"'Yes, the basket came from Antwerp.'

"'What! The white Antwerp cat!' I cried.

"'Yes.'

"'And you ask me to keep that cat? Oh, Wilhelmina!'

"'Listen!' she said. 'I have a long story to tell you; come nearer,
close to me. You say you love me?'

"I bent and kissed her.

"'Then I shall put you to the proof,' she murmured.

"'Prove me!'

"'Listen. That cat is the same cat that ran out of the apartment in
the Waldorf when your great-aunt ceased to exist--in human shape. My
father and myself, having received word from the Mahatmas of the Trust
Company, sheltered and cherished the cat. We were ordered by the
Mahatmas to convert you. The task was appalling--but there is no such
thing as refusing a command, and we laid