"CAT-CHAT" AT No. 10, DOWNING STREET

Radio Record, Volume XII, Issue 35, 10 February 1939, Page 23

"CAT-CHAT" AT No. 10, DOWNING STREET

By

ELSIE K.

MORTON

‘(During the recent war-crisis in London, when the Prime Minister was meking his momenfous air-trips to Germany, everything connected with the Chamberlain residence became suddenly invested with extraordinary interest for Londoners. Even the house-cat at No. 16 became mews The papers printed numerous articles about this ordinary old black Tom, who was to be seen almost every day basking on the deorstep or sifting on the gate-post. His daily appearances were said to be an omen of good luck for the Empire, and hundreds of people went to Downing Street every day in hope of seeing The Cat.) |

OR nearly a quarter of an hour I-.stood as still as a stone, right opposite No. 10, waiting. The tall policeman standing on the kerb took no more notice of me than if I had been 2 bit of banana skin on the pavement. At last I plucked up courage and addressed him. I didn’t like doing it, because these poor men have to answer so many foolish aues-tions-particularly from overseas visitors! "TY’ve-lI’ve come to see-that is, would you please tell me--" J began timidly, "if--." "No, you won’t see him to-day," he said crisply. "No use waiting!" "Oh dear! Why not?" "Because he’s gone, of course." "Gone! Where’s he gone?" "He’s flown to Germany to see Hitler, of course. Don’t you read the papers?" he asked severely. "But a friend told me she saw him here only half an hour ago! At lunch-time. I’ve come specially to see him!" "Saw him here? At lunch-time?" exclaimed the tall policeman. "Yes! Sitting on the gate-post, eleaning his whiskers!" "Sitting on the--! What the -- who the ? What are you talking about?" demanded the policeman, not too politely. "The Cat. I’ve come to see The Cat. The Black Cat at No. 10," 1 said patiently. "1 oe

read about him in the paper the other night. He’s supposed to bring good fuck when the Empire’s in a tight corner, you know. Has Mr. Chamberlain taken him with him?" "Taken him-what, taken the black cat to Germany? No! Of course not!" "But you said he had! You said distinctly I wouldn’t see him hecause he’d gone to Germany!" "J said the Prime Minister had gone to Germany to see Hitler. I don’t know a thing about any cat!"

‘Don’t you really?" I asked in surprise. "I thought everybody knew about No. 10’s Black Cat! Don’t you read .the papers?" Another Tack policeman made no reply. | He seemed to be watching the flight of a bird. ‘"‘Ah, that reminds me,’’ I said, following his upward gaze. ‘‘Quite possibly he is up in Mrs. Chamberlain’s roof garden. |. Y’ve read a lot in the papers about that, too. ... I’d just love to see it!" I paused hopefully. The policeman made no reply. He seemed absorbed in contemplation of a St. James’s Palace chimney pot. "Yes, I’d just love to see it," f repeated gently. "I’m from New Zealand. We don’t have roof gardens there. I’m going back soon." A look of relief seemed to sweep over the policeman’s stern features. His gaze fell from the skies. I shot a quick glance at him and moved a trifle nearer. "Yes, very soon," I said softly. "Do you-oh, officer, do you think I could possibly get a glimpse of Mrs. Charmberlain’s garden before T go?" "Why, yes! Quite possibly!" he Said promptly. "Oh, really?" I cried excitedly. "Flow?" "From an aeroplane!" The heartless wretch! "No, I don’t think I'll bother, thanks,’ I said coldly, moving away. "Goodbye. I’m sorry I’ve missed The Cat. It’s always a pleasure to talk to a really intelligent animal!" "Good-bye." His voice was actually cordial now. "I'll tell him you called!" I paused for a parting shot. "Do you think you’ll know him when you see him?" "ft always know a cat when I see one!" He replied. But I pretended not to hear.