remarkable all the time; and so he went on discoursin'; and says he, 'It's
thrue for you, ma'am,' says he, 'that horses wares shoes--but that stands
to rayson, ma'am, you see--seeing the hardship their feet has to go
through on the hard roads.'"

"'And how do you know what hardship my feet has to go through?' says the
cat, mighty sharp."

"'But, ma'am,' says Tom, 'I don't well see how you could fasten a shoe on
you,' says he."

"'Lave that to me,' says the cat."

"'Did any one ever stick walnut shells on you, pussy?' says Tom, with a
grin."

"'Don't be disrespectful, Tom Connor,' says the cat, with a frown."

"'I ax your pard'n, ma'am,' says he, 'but as for the horses you wor
spakin' about wearin' shoes, you know their shoes is fastened on with
nails, and how would your shoes be fastened on?'"

"'Ah, you stupid thief!' says she, 'haven't I illigant nails o' my own?'
and with that she gave him a dab of her claw, that made him roar."

"'Ow! murdher!' says he."

"'Now, no more of your palaver, Misther Connor,' says the cat; 'just be
off and get me the shoes.'"