Down the tree started Simon Cameron, moving backward, and halting coquettishly at every few inches.
Gavin reached up and lifted the fluffy creature from the trunk, cradling him in expert manner in the crook of one arm.
Simon Cameron forgot his fear and purred loudly, rubbing his snub-nose face against his captor's sleeve.
"Don't feel too much flattered," adjured the girl.

"He's like that, with all strangers.

As soon as he has known most people a day or two, he'll have nothing to do with them." "I know," assented Gavin.

"That's a trick of Persian cats.
They have an inordinate interest in every one except the people they know.

Their idea of heaven is to be admired by a million strangers at a time.