'Do you know, I really do think they're quieting down a bit.

Perhaps they heard us say milk.' 'They can't understand English,' said Jane.

'You forget they're Persian cats, Panther.' 'Well,' said Anthea, rather sharply, for she was tired and anxious, 'who told you "milk" wasn't Persian for milk.

Lots of English words are just the same in French--at least I know "miaw" is, and "croquet", and "fiance".

Oh, pussies, do be quiet! Let's stroke them as hard as we can with both hands, and perhaps they'll stop.' So every one stroked grey fur till their hands were tired, and as soon as a cat had been stroked enough to make it stop mewing it was pushed gently away, and another mewing mouser was approached by the hands of the strokers.