W. W. Jacobs

“ I ain't been to the Cauliflower since I've 'ad it, and three times I got out o' bed last night to see if it was safe."
"Mark my words," ses Henery Walker; "if that cat don't 'ave exercise, you'll lose it.
"I shall lose it if it does 'ave exercise," ses George Barstow, "that I know."
He sat down thinking arter Henery Walker 'ad gone, and then he 'ad a little collar and chain made for it, and took it out for a walk. Pretty nearly every dog in Claybury went with 'em, and the cat was in such a state o' mind afore they got 'ome he couldn't do anything with it. ”

“ George couldn't believe 'im at fust, but when 'e did he swore that if a 'air of that cat's head was harmed 'e'd 'ave the law o' Bob Pretty, and arter Henery Walker 'ad gone 'e walked round to tell 'im so.
"You're not yourself, George Barstow, else you wouldn't try and take away my character like that," ses Bob Pretty.
"Wot did Joe Clark give you all them things for?" ses George, pointing to the furniture.
"Took a fancy to me, I s'pose," ses Bob. "People do sometimes. ”

“ Nearly every man, woman, and child in Claybury left their work or school and went to try and earn that five pounds. By the arternoon George Barstow made it ten pounds provided the cat was brought 'ome safe and sound, and people as was too old to walk stood at their cottage doors to snap it up as it came by. ”