The Enid Blyton Society

I think it was because he wanted to smell like a grown-up.

Yes, that's correct, Eddie. Fatty claims he smokes his father's cigar ends, to which Pip retorts: "You don't smoke them! ... You're just saying that to swank as usual. You just take them to make yourself smell of grown-up cigar smoke, that's all." Which, we're told, was "rather too near the truth for Fatty's liking"... (I'm wondering if this exchange features at all in modern editions of the book — does anyone know?)

Over to you.

Thanks, Courtenay.

I’ve just checked a recent edition of The Mystery of the Disappearing Cat and the text has been changed to:

Fatty produced a collection of spent matches out of his pocket. The others stared at them in amazement.

‘What do you want to collect used matches for?’ asked Larry at last.

‘They’re the ones left by my father in the ashtray in the living room, after he’s lit a fire or some candles. You never know when they might be useful.’

It’s a ridiculous alteration which makes no sense.

Staying with The Mystery of the Disappearing Cat, in which town is Miss Harmer’s home?

Hmmm.... I think that cat-minder Miss Harmer's home town was something like Longton, or Langton, though I'm probably only faintly 'warm'.

'Aurélien Arkadiusz', rambler up misleading garden paths and - sometimes - purveyor of clues.....

Eddie Muir wrote:Thanks, Courtenay.

I’ve just checked a recent edition of The Mystery of the Disappearing Cat and the text has been changed to:

Fatty produced a collection of spent matches out of his pocket. The others stared at them in amazement.

‘What do you want to collect used matches for?’ asked Larry at last.

‘They’re the ones left by my father in the ashtray in the living room, after he’s lit a fire or some candles. You never know when they might be useful.’

It’s a ridiculous alteration which makes no sense.

Totally agree, Eddie. I can understand why they would want to edit it in this instance, so as not to have Enid apparently promoting smoking cigars (or smelling of them) as "grown-up", but as you say, the new version makes no sense and takes away the funny side of the original with Fatty's typical vanity!

Thanks for filling us in on that — makes me all the more glad I only collect older editions! — and sorry for interrupting the game. Back to Aurélien's answer...

I’m also glad that I only collect older editions, Courtenay. However, if I see cheap copies of the modern ones, I usually buy them just to check whether any textual changes have been made.

Near enough, Aurélien. It was Langston.

Your question.

Many thanks, Eddie. My recollection of place-names read in books is often less than perfect.

Staying with 'TMOT Disappearing Cat', how did Buster first get into Lady Candling's garden, in spite of the high wall in his way?

'Aurélien Arkadiusz'

Buster ran down the Hiltons’ drive and up Lady Candling’s drive to get into her garden.

Indeed he did, Eddie. What an intelligent dog he is.

'Aurélien Arkadiusz'

He is indeed!

Thanks, Aurélien.

Another Disappearing Cat question: Miss Harmer mentions a circus. In which town does she say it is performing?

Anyone?

It begins with F.

No, I can't recall it!

Do you know the answer, Julie?

The name escapes me for the moment, Eddie. Sorry.