I did not
know what it was at that time, but I have learnt since.
"'That was when I could hardly have been four weeks old, and from that
day to this I've looked after myself: you've got to do that in this
world, my dear. For a while, I and my brother lived on in that sty and
kept ourselves. It was a grim struggle at first, two babies fighting for
life; but we pulled through. At the end of about three months, wandering
farther from home than usual, I came upon a cottage, standing in the
fields. It looked warm and cosy through the open door, and I went in: I
have always been blessed with plenty of nerve. Some children were
playing round the fire, and they welcomed me and made much of me. It was
a new sensation to me, and I stayed there. I thought the place a palace
at the time.
"'I might have gone on thinking so if it had not been that, passing
through the village one day, I happened to catch sight of a room behind a
shop. There was a carpet on the floor, and a rug before the fire. I had
never known till then that there were such luxuries in the world. I
determined to make that shop my home, and I did so.'
"'How did you manage it?' asked the black cat, who was growing
interested.
"'By the simple process of walking in and sitting down. My dear child,
cheek's the "Open sesame" to every door.
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