and the Black Cat put up his back and spit at the Aldermen.

"Give 'em a spanking all 'round," she snapped out, "and if that don't
work put 'em to bed without their supper."

Then the Aldermen marched back to try that; and all the children in the
city were spanked, and when that didn't do any good they were put to
bed without any supper. But the next morning when they woke up they
were worse than ever.

The Mayor and Aldermen were very indignant, and considered that they
had been imposed upon and insulted. So they set out for the Wise Woman
again, with the high Soprano Singer.

She sang in G-sharp how the Aldermen and the Mayor considered her an
impostor, and did not think she was wise at all, and they wished her to
take her Black Cat and move beyond the limits of the city.

She sang it beautifully; it sounded like the very finest Italian opera
music.

"Deary me," piped the Wise Woman, when she had finished, "how very
grand these gentlemen are." Her Black Cat put up his back and spit.

"Five times one Black Cat are five Black Cats," said the Wise Woman.
And directly there were five Black Cats spitting and miauling.

"Five times five Black Cats are twenty-five Black Cats." And then there
were twenty-five of the angry little beasts.