Лилиан Браун - The Cat Who Had 60 Whiskers

“That was precocious for a fourth-grader,” Barbara said.

“I had heard grown-ups talking about her, but I got all the blame. Actually, it solved a problem. The kids went to her class smiling, and Miss Grumpy was less grumpy. Yours truly got reprimanded at school and at home, but I discovered the value of humorous verse. Now I specialize in limericks. There’s something about the “aa-bb-a” rhyme scheme and the long and short lines that can only be described as saucy. Its appeal is universal. I know a newspaper editor who carries one around in his pocket. He says he reads it whenever he needs a boost. And cats love limericks. I tested my theory on them. They don’t even speak the language, but they respond to the lilt of the rhythm and to the repetition in rhymed words.”

Barbara nodded approval.

Qwilleran said, “I’m working on the subject of limericks and how humorous verse often solves a problem by making people smile. The guests at the Hotel Brrr were always disgruntled about having to swim in the hotel pool when the temperature was too low in the lake. Now, each arriving guest receives a card with a limerick, and they walk around smiling.

He referred to:

There was a young lady in Brrr

Who always went swimming in fur.

One day on a dare

She swam in the bare,

And that was the end of her.

When they returned to the Willows, Barbara invited Qwilleran in to say good night to Molasses, and he accepted. He liked her range of interests, her forthright advice, her sense of humor. They were met by Molasses, very much in charge of the premises.

“You two have met,” she said as the two males stared at each other. Throwing back his shoulders and taking an authoritative stance, Qwilleran recited:

“Molasses, an elegant cat.

Would not think of catching a rat.

His manners are fine,

He drinks the best wine,

And on Sunday he wears a hat.”

Molasses flopped over on his side, stiffened his four legs, and kicked.

Then Qwilleran broached a subject he was not prone to discuss: Koko’s whiskers.

“Dr. Connie has volunteered to count them when he’s sedated for his dental prophylaxis, but somehow I feel guilty because I know he won’t approve. He’s a very private cat.”

“Then don’t do it!” Barbara said. “What purpose will it serve? Some humans are smarter than others. And some cats are smarter than others!” Qwilleran was impressed by her clearly stated opinion.

“You’re right!” he said. “We won’t do it!”