Bulgakov Society

“Ain’t misbehaving, ain’t bothering anybody, just reparating my primus,” said the cat with an unfriendly scowl, “and I also consider it my duty to warn you that the cat is an ancient and inviolable animal.” “Exceptionally neat job,’ whispered one of the men, and another said loudly and distinctly: “Well, come right in, you inviolable, ventriloquous cat!” The net unfolded and soared upwards, but the man who cast it, to everyone’s utter astonishment, missed and only caught the pitcher, which straight away smashed ringingly. “You lose!” bawled the cat. “Hurrah!” and here, setting the primus aside, he snatched a Browning from behind his back. In a trice he aimed it at the man standing closest, but before the cat had time to shoot, fire blazed in the man’s hand, and at the blast of the Mauser the cat plopped head first from the mantelpiece on to the floor, dropping the Browning and letting go of the primus.