Four of us,' said Morwen. The cats yowled. 'Yes, I know, and of course you're coming, but you can't carry a bucket of soapy water, so for the purposes of this discussion it doesn't matter,' she told them. The cats gave her an affronted look, turned their backs, and began making indignant little noises at each other.
In this excerpt from "Searching for Dragons" by Patricia C. Wrede, Morwen addresses a group of four cats who are eager to join her on an undertaking. Despite their enthusiasm, Morwen points out a practical limitation: the cats are unable to carry a bucket of soapy water. This detail signifies a more serious discussion that needs to take place, highlighting an interesting dynamic between Morwen and the cats.
The reaction of...
