"My dear Tate," said Eloise, "what a lovely surprise!" She patted one of the large cushions beside her. "Do sit down and tell me about yourself, and what brings you to Cloche-de-Fer." Tate told Eloise about Pierre and Jacqueline and their life on the farm in Bric-à-Brac. She explained that her journey was meant to give Pierre a break; she had caused such a commotion recently!
Eloise nodded her head slowly. "I know that feeling," she said. "When I was young, I could wreak havoc on Marie and Jacques' household. However, in my case, everything turned out alright in the end. It's rather a funny story... I wonder if you would like to hear it?"
"Yes, please," said Tate. At that moment, Marie, who had been reading in the kitchen with Jacques, turned off the living room lights on her way up to bed. Tate and Eloise sat in the dark beneath the Christmas tree. "Jacques will turn off the tree lights when he goes to bed," Eloise explained. The two cats made themselves comfortable on their cushions, and Eloise began her story.