"Mrs. Lovett, this is ridiculous," Sweeney Todd declared. "We've been traipsing up and down Fleet Street since before midnight. I refuse to search for him any longer."
Mrs. Lovett stopped and turned to look at him. Bits of silver moonlight shone through the clouds, casting choppy shadows across her anxious face. Darkness seeped from every corner of the buildings and alleys, and a light rain had begun to fall across the cobble-stoned street.
"Mr. T., please! We'll find 'im soon, I know we will!" she cried agitatedly.
"I beg to differ, Mrs. Lovett," Sweeney said. "It's been more then an hour, and we've found nothing."
"But you know 'ow he gets. 'E's been so moody lately… we've got ta keep lookin'!"
"You do know that he'll return in the morning, and all this will have been for nothing? I have better things to do with my time," Sweeney said.
"Like what? Skulk 'round your barbershop 'till the sun rises?" Mrs. Lovett scoffed.
Sweeney stopped in the middle of the dark street and crossed his arms stubbornly. An insulted sort of frown crept across his face.
"Don't look at me that way, love; ya know I didn't mean it."
Sweeney remained determinedly silent.
"Oh, Mr. T., please! 'E's so little, I 'ate to think of 'im out 'ere all by 'imself. It's so cold and wet… what if 'e gets lost? I couldn't bear it if…" she trailed off worriedly. "I know I won't be able to find 'im meself. Please, Mr. T.? Just a bit longer…?"
Mrs. Lovett looked up at him hopefully, putting a hand on his shoulder. Her big brown eyes were wide and distressed, begging. She looked so hopeful…
Sweeney sighed. He wasn't really all that tired…
"All right," he said gruffly, his arms falling to his sides. "I'll help you for a little longer. I just hope you know how foolish you're being."
"Oh, Mr. T! Thank you!" Mrs. Lovett exclaimed. "I can't let 'im go wanderin' round by 'imself at this hour, 'e's too young yet. You've no idea wot 'e means to me…"
Sweeney rolled his eyes. "Hurry it up, then."
"All right, let's look down 'ere, I don't think we've -"
"Mrs. Lovett? What is that?" Sweeney interrupted. A small, dark shape was scurrying down the edge of the street towards them at full speed. It dashed up to them and threw itself into Mrs. Lovett's waiting arms.
"There you are!" Mrs. Lovett said happily. "We've been lookin' for ya all over, ya crazy critter!" She cooed at it and kissed it senseless until Sweeney thought he would be sick.
"Well, Mrs. Lovett," Sweeney said at last, "You've found your bloody kitten. I'm going home."