[00:00.00] | Tobermory |
[00:02.69] | It was a cold,rain-washed afternoon in late August. |
[00:06.67] | Lady Blemley and her guests were sitting round the tea table. |
[00:10.40] | Everyone was listening open-mouthed to Mr Cornelius Appin. |
[00:15.62] | Although he was one of her guests,Lady Blemley did not know Mr Appin well. |
[00:21.40] | She had invited him to stay at Blemley House because she had heard that he was clever. |
[00:27.59] | But until teatime that day he had not done or said anything clever. |
[00:32.16] | He did not play tennis,or sing,or make intelligent conversation. |
[00:37.55] | But now Mr Appin was describing a most extraordinary discovery and the other guests were listening with deep interest. |
[00:43.49] | 'Are you telling us that you have found a way of teaching animals to talk?'Sir Wilfrid was saying. |
[00:52.60] | 'And our dear old Tobermory is your first successful student?'. |
[00:57.13] | 'I have studied this problem for seventeen years,'said Mr Appin,'but I didn't have any real success until eight or nine months ago. |
[01:06.21] | Of course, I have studied thousands of animals,but recently I have worked only with cats. |
[01:12.74] | A cat,of course,is a wild animal who agrees to live with you. |
[01:16.86] | All cats are intelligent,but naturally some cats are more intelligent than others. |
[01:33.32][01:22.71] | When I met Tobemery a week ago,I realized at once that here was an extraordinarily intelligent cat,a very special cat indeed. |
[01:36.52] | In Tobermory,I found the student I needed. |
[01:37.84] | With him I have succeeded in my plan. |
[01:40.14] | ' Nobody laughed,and nobody actually said ‘Rubbish',al-though Clovis's lips moved silently '. |
[01:48.50] | And have you really taught Tobermory,'asked Miss Resker,'to say and understand short,easy words?' |
[01:55.86] | 'My dear Miss Resker,'said Mr Appin patiently,'we teach little children and very slow,stupid adults in that way. |
[02:05.70] | But Tobermory is a most intelligent cat. |
[02:08.44] | He can speak English as well as you or I can. |
[02:11.98] | ' This time Clovis said ‘Rubbish!'aloud. |
[02:17.17] | Sir Wilfrid was more polite,but it was clear that he did not believe Mr Appin's story. |
[02:22.39] | 'Shall we bring the cat in here and hear him for ourselves?'said Lady Blemley. |
[02:25.78] | Sir Wilfrid went off to look for Tobermory. |
[02:33.83] | 'Mr Appin will try to be clever,'said Miss Resker happily,'but if we watch him carefully,we shall see his lips move. |
[02:41.44] | ' In a minute Sir Wiflrid returned, looking very excited. |
[02:45.69] | 'It's true,you know!'he said. |
[02:48.68] | 'I found Tobermory sleeping in the smoking-room,and called out to him to come for his tea. |
[02:53.93] | He lifted his head and opened one eye. |
[02:56.17] | I said,’Come on,Toby,don’t keep us waiting!’and he said calmly,’ |
[03:00.34] | I’ll come when I'm ready!’I couldn’t believe my ears!' |
[03:03.83] | The guests all started talking at once,while Mr Appin sat silently and looked very pleased with himself indeed. |
[03:12.33] | Then Tobermory entered the room and calmly walked over to the tea table. |
[03:19.86] | The conversation stopped. |
[03:22.21] | No body knew what to say to a talking cat. |
[03:25.89] | At last Lady Blemley spoke:'Would you like some milk,Tobermory?' |
[03:31.82] | she asked in a high,unnatural voice. |
[03:35.11] | 'I don't mind if I do,'answered Tobermory. |
[03:38.57] | Lady Blemley's hand shook with excitement and some of the milk went onto the carpet. |
[03:44.77] | 'Oh dear!I'm so sorry,'she said. |
[03:48.26] | 'I don't mind. |
[03:49.68] | It isn't my carpet,after all,'replied To-bermory. |
[03:53.20] | There was another silence,then Miss Resker asked politely,'Did you find it difficult to learn English,Tobermory?' . |
[04:02.20] | Tobermory looked straight through her with his bright green eyes. |
[04:07.65] | Clearly,he did not answer questions that did not interest him. |
[04:12.18] | 'What do you think of the intelligence of people?'asked Mavis Pellington. |
[04:19.54] | 'Which people's intelligence?'asked Tobermory coldly. |
[04:24.29] | 'Well,my intelligence,for example,'said Mavis with a little laugh. |
[04:30.41] | 'You make things very uncomfortable for me,'said Tobermory, |
[04:35.82] | although he did not look at all uncomfortable. |
[04:38.68] | when Lady Blemley wanted to invite you here,Sir Wilfrid was not pleased. |
[04:44.32] | “Mavis Pellington is the stupidest woman I know,”he said. |
[04:49.48] | “That's why I want to invite her,”Lady Blemley replied. |
[04:53.36] | “I want her to buy my old car, and she's stupid enough to do that. |
[04:58.13] | 'It isn't true!'cried Lady Blemley. |
[05:01.32] | 'Don't believe him,Mavis!' 'If it isn't true,'said Mavis coldly, |
[05:07.33] | 'why did you say this morning that your car would be just right for me?' |
[05:12.78] | Major Barfield did his best to help. |
[05:16.23] | He tried to start a new conversation. |
[05:18.33] | 'How are you getting on with your little black and white lady friend in the garden?'He asked Tobermory. |
[05:25.29] | Everybody realized at once that this was a mistake. |
[05:30.48] | Tobermory gave him an icy look. |
[05:33.75] | 'We do not usually discuss these things in polite company,'he said. |
[05:39.72] | 'But I have watched you a little since you have been in this house. |
[05:43.61] | I think perhaps you would not like me to discuss your lady friends.' |
[05:48.51] | The Major's face became very red,and all the other guests began to look worried and uncomfortable. |
[05:55.99] | What was Tobermory going to say next? |
[05:58.85] | 'Would you like to go down to the kitchen now,Tobermory,'asked Lady Blemley politely,'and see if the cook has got your dinner ready?' |
[06:08.15] | 'No,thank you,'saidTobermory. |
[06:12.45] | 'I 've only just had my tea. |
[06:14.52] | I don’t want to make myself sick. |
[06:17.18] | ''Cats have nine lives,you know,'said Sir Wilfrid with a laugh. |
[06:22.71] | 'Possibly,'answered Tobermory. |
[06:25.82] | 'But only one stomach. |
[06:28.16] | 'Lady Blemley!'cried Mrs Cornett,'Don't send that cat to the kitchen. |
[06:33.00] | He will talk about us to the cook!' Everyone was very worried now. |
[06:37.31] | They remembered uncomfortably that Tobermory moved freely all over the house and gardens, |
[06:43.79] | at all hours of the day and night. He could look into any of the bedrooms if he wanted to. |
[06:49.93] | What had he seen?What had he heard?Nobody’s secrets were safe now. |
[06:55.75] | 'Oh,why did I come here?'cried Agnes Resker,who could never stay silent for long. |
[07:02.89] | 'You know very well why you came here,'said Tobermory immediately. |
[07:07.91] | 'You came for the food,of course. |
[07:11.15] | I heard you talking to Mrs Cornett in the garden. |
[07:14.38] | You said that the Blemleys were terribly boring people,but they had an excel-lent cook. |
[07:20.49] | ' You mustn't believe him!'cried Agnes. |
[07:23.47] | 'I never said that,did I,Mrs Cornett?' |
[07:26.14] | 'Later,Mrs Cornett repeated your words to Bertie vanTahn,'said Tobermory. |
[07:32.40] | 'She said,“That Resker woman will go anywhere for four good meals a day,” |
[07:37.84] | and Bertie said—' Just then Tobermory looked out of the window and saw the doctor’s big yellow cat crossing the garden. |
[07:46.53] | Immediately he disappeared through the open window. |
[07:50.80] | Everyone started talking at once,and Mr Appin found himself in a storm of angry questions. |
[07:57.14] | 'You must stop this at once,'everyone said to him.' What will happen if Tobermory teaches other cats to talk? |
[08:05.10] | We shall never have a moment's peace!' |
[08:08.84] | 'It's possible that he has taught the gardener's cat,'replied Mr Appin thoughtfully,'but I don’t believe he has had time to teach any other cats. |
[08:19.49] | ' Then,'said Mrs Cornett,'although Tobermory is a valuable cat,he and the gardener's cat must die. |
[08:28.42] | Don't you agree,Lady Blemley?' 'You're right,'said Lady Blemley sadly. |
[08:34.73] | 'My husband and I love Tobermory—well,we did before this afternoon—but now,of course,he must die as soon as possible. |
[08:42.83] | ''We will poison his dinner,'said Sir Wilfrid,'and I will kill the gardener's cat myself. |
[08:49.43] | The gardener won't like it,but I'll say it has some kind of disease—' |
[08:53.41] | 'But what about my discovery?'cried Mr Appin. |
[08:58.58] | 'What about all my years of work?Are you going to destroy my only successful student?' |
[09:04.50] | You can go and teach the cows on the farm,'said Mrs Cornett coldly,'or the elephants at the zoo. |
[09:13.15] | Elephants are very intelligent,they tell me,and elephants don't hide behind chairs or under beds and listen to people's conversations. |
[09:21.38] | 'Mr Appin knew when he was beaten. |
[09:25.15] | Dinner that evening was not a success. |
[09:28.27] | Sir Wilfrid had had a difficult time with the gardener's cat and later with the gardener. |
[09:34.28] | Agnes Resker refused to eat anything,while Mavis Pellington ate her meal in silence. |
[09:41.67] | Everyone was waiting for Tobermory. |
[09:45.17] | A plate of poisoned fish stood ready for him in the dining-room,but he did not come home. |
[09:52.48] | Nobody talked much,and nobody laughed. |
[09:56.20] | It was a most uncomfortable meal. |
[09:58.56] | After dinner the Blemleys and their guests sat in the smoking-room. |
[10:03.88] | Everyone was quiet and worried and nobody wanted to play cards. |
[10:09.29] | At eleven o'clock the cook and the housekeeper went to bed. |
[10:13.71] | They left the kitchen window open for Tobermory as usual,but he did not come. |
[10:19.57] | At two o'clock Clovis spoke: 'He won't come home tonight. |
[10:26.70] | He's probably in the newspaper office selling them his story. |
[10:29.70] | They'll love it. |
[10:31.10] | The story will be the excitementof the year. |
[10:33.60] | ' After that everyone went to bed,but nobody slept. |
[10:38.93] | In the morning Tobermory had still not come home. |
[10:43.11] | Breakfast was another quiet,uncomfortable meal. |
[10:47.65] | Then,half-way through the coffee,the gardener brought in Tobermory's blood-stained body. |
[10:53.93] | 'Look at his claws!'cried Clovis. |
[10:58.53] | 'He's been fighting!'And there,on Tobermory's claws,was the yellow hair of the doctor's cat. |
[11:05.81] | By lunchtime most of the guests had left Blemley House. |
[11:10.65] | Lady Blemley began to feel better. |
[11:13.68] | She took out her pen and paper and wrote a very angry letter to the doctor about the death of her valuable cat. |
[11:21.70] | Tobermory was Mr Appin's only successful student. |
[11:26.53] | A few weeks after Tobermory's death an elephant escaped from the Dresden Zoo and killed an English visitor. |
[11:36.30] | The zoo keeper said that the elephant had always been a calm and gentle animal before. |
[11:41.96] | But suddenly it seemed to be-come very angry with the English visitor,who was talking to it. |
[11:47.85] | The dead man's name was reported in the newspapers as Oppin,but his first name was Cornelius. |
[11:55.57] | 'If Appin was trying to teach the poor elephant to speak German,'said Clovis,'I'm not surprised it killed him. |
[00:00.00] | Tobermory |
[00:02.69] | It was a cold, rain washed afternoon in late August |
[00:06.67] | Lady Blemley and her guests were sitting round the tea table |
[00:10.40] | Everyone was listening open mouthed to Mr Cornelius Appin |
[00:15.62] | Although he was one of her guests, Lady Blemley did not know Mr Appin well |
[00:21.40] | She had invited him to stay at Blemley House because she had heard that he was clever |
[00:27.59] | But until teatime that day he had not done or said anything clever |
[00:32.16] | He did not play tennis, or sing, or make intelligent conversation |
[00:37.55] | But now Mr Appin was describing a most extraordinary discovery and the other guests were listening with deep interest |
[00:43.49] | ' Are you telling us that you have found a way of teaching animals to talk?' Sir Wilfrid was saying |
[00:52.60] | ' And our dear old Tobermory is your first successful student?' |
[00:57.13] | ' I have studied this problem for seventeen years,' said Mr Appin,' but I didn' t have any real success until eight or nine months ago |
[01:06.21] | Of course, I have studied thousands of animals, but recently I have worked only with cats |
[01:12.74] | A cat, of course, is a wild animal who agrees to live with you |
[01:16.86] | All cats are intelligent, but naturally some cats are more intelligent than others |
[01:33.32][01:22.71] | When I met Tobemery a week ago, I realized at once that here was an extraordinarily intelligent cat, a very special cat indeed |
[01:36.52] | In Tobermory, I found the student I needed |
[01:37.84] | With him I have succeeded in my plan |
[01:40.14] | ' Nobody laughed, and nobody actually said ' Rubbish', although Clovis' s lips moved silently ' |
[01:48.50] | And have you really taught Tobermory,' asked Miss Resker,' to say and understand short, easy words?' |
[01:55.86] | ' My dear Miss Resker,' said Mr Appin patiently,' we teach little children and very slow, stupid adults in that way |
[02:05.70] | But Tobermory is a most intelligent cat |
[02:08.44] | He can speak English as well as you or I can |
[02:11.98] | ' This time Clovis said ' Rubbish!' aloud |
[02:17.17] | Sir Wilfrid was more polite, but it was clear that he did not believe Mr Appin' s story |
[02:22.39] | ' Shall we bring the cat in here and hear him for ourselves?' said Lady Blemley |
[02:25.78] | Sir Wilfrid went off to look for Tobermory |
[02:33.83] | ' Mr Appin will try to be clever,' said Miss Resker happily,' but if we watch him carefully, we shall see his lips move |
[02:41.44] | ' In a minute Sir Wiflrid returned, looking very excited |
[02:45.69] | ' It' s true, you know!' he said |
[02:48.68] | ' I found Tobermory sleeping in the smokingroom, and called out to him to come for his tea |
[02:53.93] | He lifted his head and opened one eye |
[02:56.17] | I said,' Come on, Toby, don' t keep us waiting!' and he said calmly,' |
[03:00.34] | I' ll come when I' m ready!' I couldn' t believe my ears!' |
[03:03.83] | The guests all started talking at once, while Mr Appin sat silently and looked very pleased with himself indeed |
[03:12.33] | Then Tobermory entered the room and calmly walked over to the tea table |
[03:19.86] | The conversation stopped |
[03:22.21] | No body knew what to say to a talking cat |
[03:25.89] | At last Lady Blemley spoke:' Would you like some milk, Tobermory?' |
[03:31.82] | she asked in a high, unnatural voice |
[03:35.11] | ' I don' t mind if I do,' answered Tobermory |
[03:38.57] | Lady Blemley' s hand shook with excitement and some of the milk went onto the carpet |
[03:44.77] | ' Oh dear! I' m so sorry,' she said |
[03:48.26] | ' I don' t mind |
[03:49.68] | It isn' t my carpet, after all,' replied To bermory |
[03:53.20] | There was another silence, then Miss Resker asked politely,' Did you find it difficult to learn English, Tobermory?' |
[04:02.20] | Tobermory looked straight through her with his bright green eyes |
[04:07.65] | Clearly, he did not answer questions that did not interest him |
[04:12.18] | ' What do you think of the intelligence of people?' asked Mavis Pellington |
[04:19.54] | ' Which people' s intelligence?' asked Tobermory coldly |
[04:24.29] | ' Well, my intelligence, for example,' said Mavis with a little laugh |
[04:30.41] | ' You make things very uncomfortable for me,' said Tobermory, |
[04:35.82] | although he did not look at all uncomfortable. |
[04:38.68] | when Lady Blemley wanted to invite you here, Sir Wilfrid was not pleased |
[04:44.32] | " Mavis Pellington is the stupidest woman I know," he said |
[04:49.48] | " That' s why I want to invite her," Lady Blemley replied |
[04:53.36] | " I want her to buy my old car, and she' s stupid enough to do that |
[04:58.13] | ' It isn' t true!' cried Lady Blemley |
[05:01.32] | ' Don' t believe him, Mavis!' ' If it isn' t true,' said Mavis coldly, |
[05:07.33] | ' why did you say this morning that your car would be just right for me?' |
[05:12.78] | Major Barfield did his best to help |
[05:16.23] | He tried to start a new conversation |
[05:18.33] | ' How are you getting on with your little black and white lady friend in the garden?' He asked Tobermory. |
[05:25.29] | Everybody realized at once that this was a mistake |
[05:30.48] | Tobermory gave him an icy look |
[05:33.75] | ' We do not usually discuss these things in polite company,' he said |
[05:39.72] | ' But I have watched you a little since you have been in this house |
[05:43.61] | I think perhaps you would not like me to discuss your lady friends.' |
[05:48.51] | The Major' s face became very red, and all the other guests began to look worried and uncomfortable |
[05:55.99] | What was Tobermory going to say next? |
[05:58.85] | ' Would you like to go down to the kitchen now, Tobermory,' asked Lady Blemley politely,' and see if the cook has got your dinner ready?' |
[06:08.15] | ' No, thank you,' saidTobermory |
[06:12.45] | ' I ' ve only just had my tea |
[06:14.52] | I don' t want to make myself sick |
[06:17.18] | '' Cats have nine lives, you know,' said Sir Wilfrid with a laugh |
[06:22.71] | ' Possibly,' answered Tobermory |
[06:25.82] | ' But only one stomach |
[06:28.16] | ' Lady Blemley!' cried Mrs Cornett,' Don' t send that cat to the kitchen. |
[06:33.00] | He will talk about us to the cook!' Everyone was very worried now |
[06:37.31] | They remembered uncomfortably that Tobermory moved freely all over the house and gardens, |
[06:43.79] | at all hours of the day and night. He could look into any of the bedrooms if he wanted to |
[06:49.93] | What had he seen? What had he heard? Nobody' s secrets were safe now. |
[06:55.75] | ' Oh, why did I come here?' cried Agnes Resker, who could never stay silent for long |
[07:02.89] | ' You know very well why you came here,' said Tobermory immediately |
[07:07.91] | ' You came for the food, of course |
[07:11.15] | I heard you talking to Mrs Cornett in the garden |
[07:14.38] | You said that the Blemleys were terribly boring people, but they had an excellent cook |
[07:20.49] | ' You mustn' t believe him!' cried Agnes |
[07:23.47] | ' I never said that, did I, Mrs Cornett?' |
[07:26.14] | ' Later, Mrs Cornett repeated your words to Bertie vanTahn,' said Tobermory |
[07:32.40] | ' She said," That Resker woman will go anywhere for four good meals a day," |
[07:37.84] | and Bertie said' Just then Tobermory looked out of the window and saw the doctor' s big yellow cat crossing the garden |
[07:46.53] | Immediately he disappeared through the open window |
[07:50.80] | Everyone started talking at once, and Mr Appin found himself in a storm of angry questions |
[07:57.14] | ' You must stop this at once,' everyone said to him.' What will happen if Tobermory teaches other cats to talk? |
[08:05.10] | We shall never have a moment' s peace!' |
[08:08.84] | ' It' s possible that he has taught the gardener' s cat,' replied Mr Appin thoughtfully,' but I don' t believe he has had time to teach any other cats |
[08:19.49] | ' Then,' said Mrs Cornett,' although Tobermory is a valuable cat, he and the gardener' s cat must die |
[08:28.42] | Don' t you agree, Lady Blemley?' ' You' re right,' said Lady Blemley sadly. |
[08:34.73] | ' My husband and I love Tobermory well, we did before this afternoon but now, of course, he must die as soon as possible |
[08:42.83] | '' We will poison his dinner,' said Sir Wilfrid,' and I will kill the gardener' s cat myself |
[08:49.43] | The gardener won' t like it, but I' ll say it has some kind of disease' |
[08:53.41] | ' But what about my discovery?' cried Mr Appin |
[08:58.58] | ' What about all my years of work? Are you going to destroy my only successful student?' |
[09:04.50] | You can go and teach the cows on the farm,' said Mrs Cornett coldly,' or the elephants at the zoo |
[09:13.15] | Elephants are very intelligent, they tell me, and elephants don' t hide behind chairs or under beds and listen to people' s conversations |
[09:21.38] | ' Mr Appin knew when he was beaten |
[09:25.15] | Dinner that evening was not a success |
[09:28.27] | Sir Wilfrid had had a difficult time with the gardener' s cat and later with the gardener |
[09:34.28] | Agnes Resker refused to eat anything, while Mavis Pellington ate her meal in silence |
[09:41.67] | Everyone was waiting for Tobermory |
[09:45.17] | A plate of poisoned fish stood ready for him in the dining room, but he did not come home |
[09:52.48] | Nobody talked much, and nobody laughed |
[09:56.20] | It was a most uncomfortable meal |
[09:58.56] | After dinner the Blemleys and their guests sat in the smoking room |
[10:03.88] | Everyone was quiet and worried and nobody wanted to play cards |
[10:09.29] | At eleven o' clock the cook and the housekeeper went to bed |
[10:13.71] | They left the kitchen window open for Tobermory as usual, but he did not come |
[10:19.57] | At two o' clock Clovis spoke: ' He won' t come home tonight |
[10:26.70] | He' s probably in the newspaper office selling them his story |
[10:29.70] | They' ll love it |
[10:31.10] | The story will be the excitementof the year |
[10:33.60] | ' After that everyone went to bed, but nobody slept |
[10:38.93] | In the morning Tobermory had still not come home |
[10:43.11] | Breakfast was another quiet, uncomfortable meal |
[10:47.65] | Then, half way through the coffee, the gardener brought in Tobermory' s bloodstained body |
[10:53.93] | ' Look at his claws!' cried Clovis |
[10:58.53] | ' He' s been fighting!' And there, on Tobermory' s claws, was the yellow hair of the doctor' s cat |
[11:05.81] | By lunchtime most of the guests had left Blemley House |
[11:10.65] | Lady Blemley began to feel better |
[11:13.68] | She took out her pen and paper and wrote a very angry letter to the doctor about the death of her valuable cat |
[11:21.70] | Tobermory was Mr Appin' s only successful student |
[11:26.53] | A few weeks after Tobermory' s death an elephant escaped from the Dresden Zoo and killed an English visitor |
[11:36.30] | The zoo keeper said that the elephant had always been a calm and gentle animal before |
[11:41.96] | But suddenly it seemed to be come very angry with the English visitor, who was talking to it |
[11:47.85] | The dead man' s name was reported in the newspapers as Oppin, but his first name was Cornelius |
[11:55.57] | ' If Appin was trying to teach the poor elephant to speak German,' said Clovis,' I' m not surprised it killed him |
[00:00.00] | Tobermory |
[00:02.69] | It was a cold, rain washed afternoon in late August |
[00:06.67] | Lady Blemley and her guests were sitting round the tea table |
[00:10.40] | Everyone was listening open mouthed to Mr Cornelius Appin |
[00:15.62] | Although he was one of her guests, Lady Blemley did not know Mr Appin well |
[00:21.40] | She had invited him to stay at Blemley House because she had heard that he was clever |
[00:27.59] | But until teatime that day he had not done or said anything clever |
[00:32.16] | He did not play tennis, or sing, or make intelligent conversation |
[00:37.55] | But now Mr Appin was describing a most extraordinary discovery and the other guests were listening with deep interest |
[00:43.49] | ' Are you telling us that you have found a way of teaching animals to talk?' Sir Wilfrid was saying |
[00:52.60] | ' And our dear old Tobermory is your first successful student?' |
[00:57.13] | ' I have studied this problem for seventeen years,' said Mr Appin,' but I didn' t have any real success until eight or nine months ago |
[01:06.21] | Of course, I have studied thousands of animals, but recently I have worked only with cats |
[01:12.74] | A cat, of course, is a wild animal who agrees to live with you |
[01:16.86] | All cats are intelligent, but naturally some cats are more intelligent than others |
[01:33.32][01:22.71] | When I met Tobemery a week ago, I realized at once that here was an extraordinarily intelligent cat, a very special cat indeed |
[01:36.52] | In Tobermory, I found the student I needed |
[01:37.84] | With him I have succeeded in my plan |
[01:40.14] | ' Nobody laughed, and nobody actually said ' Rubbish', although Clovis' s lips moved silently ' |
[01:48.50] | And have you really taught Tobermory,' asked Miss Resker,' to say and understand short, easy words?' |
[01:55.86] | ' My dear Miss Resker,' said Mr Appin patiently,' we teach little children and very slow, stupid adults in that way |
[02:05.70] | But Tobermory is a most intelligent cat |
[02:08.44] | He can speak English as well as you or I can |
[02:11.98] | ' This time Clovis said ' Rubbish!' aloud |
[02:17.17] | Sir Wilfrid was more polite, but it was clear that he did not believe Mr Appin' s story |
[02:22.39] | ' Shall we bring the cat in here and hear him for ourselves?' said Lady Blemley |
[02:25.78] | Sir Wilfrid went off to look for Tobermory |
[02:33.83] | ' Mr Appin will try to be clever,' said Miss Resker happily,' but if we watch him carefully, we shall see his lips move |
[02:41.44] | ' In a minute Sir Wiflrid returned, looking very excited |
[02:45.69] | ' It' s true, you know!' he said |
[02:48.68] | ' I found Tobermory sleeping in the smokingroom, and called out to him to come for his tea |
[02:53.93] | He lifted his head and opened one eye |
[02:56.17] | I said,' Come on, Toby, don' t keep us waiting!' and he said calmly,' |
[03:00.34] | I' ll come when I' m ready!' I couldn' t believe my ears!' |
[03:03.83] | The guests all started talking at once, while Mr Appin sat silently and looked very pleased with himself indeed |
[03:12.33] | Then Tobermory entered the room and calmly walked over to the tea table |
[03:19.86] | The conversation stopped |
[03:22.21] | No body knew what to say to a talking cat |
[03:25.89] | At last Lady Blemley spoke:' Would you like some milk, Tobermory?' |
[03:31.82] | she asked in a high, unnatural voice |
[03:35.11] | ' I don' t mind if I do,' answered Tobermory |
[03:38.57] | Lady Blemley' s hand shook with excitement and some of the milk went onto the carpet |
[03:44.77] | ' Oh dear! I' m so sorry,' she said |
[03:48.26] | ' I don' t mind |
[03:49.68] | It isn' t my carpet, after all,' replied To bermory |
[03:53.20] | There was another silence, then Miss Resker asked politely,' Did you find it difficult to learn English, Tobermory?' |
[04:02.20] | Tobermory looked straight through her with his bright green eyes |
[04:07.65] | Clearly, he did not answer questions that did not interest him |
[04:12.18] | ' What do you think of the intelligence of people?' asked Mavis Pellington |
[04:19.54] | ' Which people' s intelligence?' asked Tobermory coldly |
[04:24.29] | ' Well, my intelligence, for example,' said Mavis with a little laugh |
[04:30.41] | ' You make things very uncomfortable for me,' said Tobermory, |
[04:35.82] | although he did not look at all uncomfortable. |
[04:38.68] | when Lady Blemley wanted to invite you here, Sir Wilfrid was not pleased |
[04:44.32] | " Mavis Pellington is the stupidest woman I know," he said |
[04:49.48] | " That' s why I want to invite her," Lady Blemley replied |
[04:53.36] | " I want her to buy my old car, and she' s stupid enough to do that |
[04:58.13] | ' It isn' t true!' cried Lady Blemley |
[05:01.32] | ' Don' t believe him, Mavis!' ' If it isn' t true,' said Mavis coldly, |
[05:07.33] | ' why did you say this morning that your car would be just right for me?' |
[05:12.78] | Major Barfield did his best to help |
[05:16.23] | He tried to start a new conversation |
[05:18.33] | ' How are you getting on with your little black and white lady friend in the garden?' He asked Tobermory. |
[05:25.29] | Everybody realized at once that this was a mistake |
[05:30.48] | Tobermory gave him an icy look |
[05:33.75] | ' We do not usually discuss these things in polite company,' he said |
[05:39.72] | ' But I have watched you a little since you have been in this house |
[05:43.61] | I think perhaps you would not like me to discuss your lady friends.' |
[05:48.51] | The Major' s face became very red, and all the other guests began to look worried and uncomfortable |
[05:55.99] | What was Tobermory going to say next? |
[05:58.85] | ' Would you like to go down to the kitchen now, Tobermory,' asked Lady Blemley politely,' and see if the cook has got your dinner ready?' |
[06:08.15] | ' No, thank you,' saidTobermory |
[06:12.45] | ' I ' ve only just had my tea |
[06:14.52] | I don' t want to make myself sick |
[06:17.18] | '' Cats have nine lives, you know,' said Sir Wilfrid with a laugh |
[06:22.71] | ' Possibly,' answered Tobermory |
[06:25.82] | ' But only one stomach |
[06:28.16] | ' Lady Blemley!' cried Mrs Cornett,' Don' t send that cat to the kitchen. |
[06:33.00] | He will talk about us to the cook!' Everyone was very worried now |
[06:37.31] | They remembered uncomfortably that Tobermory moved freely all over the house and gardens, |
[06:43.79] | at all hours of the day and night. He could look into any of the bedrooms if he wanted to |
[06:49.93] | What had he seen? What had he heard? Nobody' s secrets were safe now. |
[06:55.75] | ' Oh, why did I come here?' cried Agnes Resker, who could never stay silent for long |
[07:02.89] | ' You know very well why you came here,' said Tobermory immediately |
[07:07.91] | ' You came for the food, of course |
[07:11.15] | I heard you talking to Mrs Cornett in the garden |
[07:14.38] | You said that the Blemleys were terribly boring people, but they had an excellent cook |
[07:20.49] | ' You mustn' t believe him!' cried Agnes |
[07:23.47] | ' I never said that, did I, Mrs Cornett?' |
[07:26.14] | ' Later, Mrs Cornett repeated your words to Bertie vanTahn,' said Tobermory |
[07:32.40] | ' She said," That Resker woman will go anywhere for four good meals a day," |
[07:37.84] | and Bertie said' Just then Tobermory looked out of the window and saw the doctor' s big yellow cat crossing the garden |
[07:46.53] | Immediately he disappeared through the open window |
[07:50.80] | Everyone started talking at once, and Mr Appin found himself in a storm of angry questions |
[07:57.14] | ' You must stop this at once,' everyone said to him.' What will happen if Tobermory teaches other cats to talk? |
[08:05.10] | We shall never have a moment' s peace!' |
[08:08.84] | ' It' s possible that he has taught the gardener' s cat,' replied Mr Appin thoughtfully,' but I don' t believe he has had time to teach any other cats |
[08:19.49] | ' Then,' said Mrs Cornett,' although Tobermory is a valuable cat, he and the gardener' s cat must die |
[08:28.42] | Don' t you agree, Lady Blemley?' ' You' re right,' said Lady Blemley sadly. |
[08:34.73] | ' My husband and I love Tobermory well, we did before this afternoon but now, of course, he must die as soon as possible |
[08:42.83] | '' We will poison his dinner,' said Sir Wilfrid,' and I will kill the gardener' s cat myself |
[08:49.43] | The gardener won' t like it, but I' ll say it has some kind of disease' |
[08:53.41] | ' But what about my discovery?' cried Mr Appin |
[08:58.58] | ' What about all my years of work? Are you going to destroy my only successful student?' |
[09:04.50] | You can go and teach the cows on the farm,' said Mrs Cornett coldly,' or the elephants at the zoo |
[09:13.15] | Elephants are very intelligent, they tell me, and elephants don' t hide behind chairs or under beds and listen to people' s conversations |
[09:21.38] | ' Mr Appin knew when he was beaten |
[09:25.15] | Dinner that evening was not a success |
[09:28.27] | Sir Wilfrid had had a difficult time with the gardener' s cat and later with the gardener |
[09:34.28] | Agnes Resker refused to eat anything, while Mavis Pellington ate her meal in silence |
[09:41.67] | Everyone was waiting for Tobermory |
[09:45.17] | A plate of poisoned fish stood ready for him in the dining room, but he did not come home |
[09:52.48] | Nobody talked much, and nobody laughed |
[09:56.20] | It was a most uncomfortable meal |
[09:58.56] | After dinner the Blemleys and their guests sat in the smoking room |
[10:03.88] | Everyone was quiet and worried and nobody wanted to play cards |
[10:09.29] | At eleven o' clock the cook and the housekeeper went to bed |
[10:13.71] | They left the kitchen window open for Tobermory as usual, but he did not come |
[10:19.57] | At two o' clock Clovis spoke: ' He won' t come home tonight |
[10:26.70] | He' s probably in the newspaper office selling them his story |
[10:29.70] | They' ll love it |
[10:31.10] | The story will be the excitementof the year |
[10:33.60] | ' After that everyone went to bed, but nobody slept |
[10:38.93] | In the morning Tobermory had still not come home |
[10:43.11] | Breakfast was another quiet, uncomfortable meal |
[10:47.65] | Then, half way through the coffee, the gardener brought in Tobermory' s bloodstained body |
[10:53.93] | ' Look at his claws!' cried Clovis |
[10:58.53] | ' He' s been fighting!' And there, on Tobermory' s claws, was the yellow hair of the doctor' s cat |
[11:05.81] | By lunchtime most of the guests had left Blemley House |
[11:10.65] | Lady Blemley began to feel better |
[11:13.68] | She took out her pen and paper and wrote a very angry letter to the doctor about the death of her valuable cat |
[11:21.70] | Tobermory was Mr Appin' s only successful student |
[11:26.53] | A few weeks after Tobermory' s death an elephant escaped from the Dresden Zoo and killed an English visitor |
[11:36.30] | The zoo keeper said that the elephant had always been a calm and gentle animal before |
[11:41.96] | But suddenly it seemed to be come very angry with the English visitor, who was talking to it |
[11:47.85] | The dead man' s name was reported in the newspapers as Oppin, but his first name was Cornelius |
[11:55.57] | ' If Appin was trying to teach the poor elephant to speak German,' said Clovis,' I' m not surprised it killed him |