So I will make a bargain with you . If ever I say one word in your praise you may come into the Cave . ' ` And if you say two words in my praise ? ' said the Cat . ' I never shall , ' said the Woman , ` but if I say two words in your praise , you may sit by the fire in the Cave . ' ` And if you say three words ? ' said the Cat . ' I never shall , ' said the Woman , ` but if I say three words in your praise , you may drink the warm white milk three times a day for always and always and always . ' Then the Cat arched his back and said , ` Now let the Curtain at the mouth of the Cave , and the Fire at the back of the Cave , and the Milk-pots that stand beside the Fire , remember what my Enemy and the Wife of my Enemy has said . ' And he went away through the Wet Wild Woods waving his wild tail and walking by his wild lone . That night when the Man and the Horse and the Dog came home from hunting , the Woman did not tell them of the bargain that she had made with the Cat , because she was afraid that they might not like it . Cat went far and far away and hid himself in the Wet Wild Woods by his wild lone for a long time till the Woman forgot all about him . Only the Bat -- the little upside-down Bat -- that hung inside the Cave , knew where Cat hid ; and every evening Bat would fly to Cat with news of what was happening . One evening Bat said , ` There is a Baby in the Cave . He is new and pink and fat and small , and the Woman is very fond of him . ' ` Ah , ' said the Cat , listening , ` but what is the Baby fond of ? ' ` He is fond of things that are soft and tickle , ' said the Bat . ` He is fond of warm things to hold in his arms when he goes to sleep . He is fond of being played with . He is fond of all those things . '
` Ah , ' said the Cat , XXXXX , ` then my time has come . '
came drink fly forgot hold let listening sit stand waving