The proprietor of the hotel particularly recommended "a native rabbit." Phileas accepted the dish as put before him, but found it horrible. He rang the bell. The landlord was sent for. "Is that a rabbit?" inquired Mr. Fogg. "Yes, my lord, a jungle rabbit." "Has that rabbit never mewed, do you think?" "Oh, my lord, a jungle-rabbit mew! I swear—" "Don't swear," said Fogg calmly, "and remember that formerly cats were sacred animals in India. Those were happy days." "For the cats, my lord?" "And perhaps for travellers too," said Fogg, as he proceeded with his dinner.
