At the Black Cat it is one continual and all-pervading roar--a joyous roar, too; these people are having a simply gorgeous time and don't care who knows it.
It is a wonder that the high-set rafters do not fall--that the lofty, whitewashed walls of brick do not tremble, and that the little black cats set in a rigid conventional design around the whole room do not come to life in horror, and fly spitting up the short stairway and out of the door! When you go to the Black Cat you would better check what prejudices you have as to what is formal and fitting, and leave them with your coat at the entrance.

Not that it is disreputable--Luigi would pale with the shock of such a thought! It is just--Bohemian! Everyone does exactly what he wishes to do.

Sometimes, one person's wishes conflict with someone else's, and then there is a fight, and the police are called, and the rest of the patrons have a beautiful time watching a perfectly good and unexpected free show! As a rule, however, this determination on the part of each one to do what he wants to has no violent results.

An incident will show something of the entire liberty allowed in the Black Cat.

A man came in with two girls, and, seeing a jolly stag party at another table, decided to join them.