Mrs Partlet never went visiting. She went to the market or to church. But on Thursday, Farmer Basil was surprised to see her opening his gate and marching in! She was a plump rosy-cheeked woman and was breathless when she arrived. “Good morning, Mrs Partlet,” said the Farmer Basil, wondering what had brought her. “Your cat,” announced Mrs Partlet, “has eaten my goldfish!” “How do you know it was my cat?” asked Farmer Basil. “She was sitting on the window-sill, licking her paws, and I found my fish-bowl empty!” “That doesn’t prove she ate the goldfish!” “Are you calling me a liar, Mr Basil?” said Mrs Partlet, marching out. That night, Farmer Basil went stealthily to Mrs Partlet’s cottage with a bowl and poured its contents into her fish-bowl on the window-sill. Next morning, he strolled past her house and called out, “There’s your goldfish, Mrs Partlet! And you thought my poor cat got it!”
Mrs Partlet Pays a Visit
