The Phoenix and the Carpet by Edith Nesbit

The nursery was full of Persian cats and muskrats that had been brought there by the wishing carpet. The cats were mewing and the muskrats were squeaking so that you could hardly hear yourself speak. In the kitchen were the four children, one candle, a concealed Phoenix, and a very visible policeman.

"Now then, look here," said the Policeman, very loudly, and he pointed his lantern at each child in turn, "what's the meaning of this here yelling and caterwauling. I tell you you've got a cat here, and someone's a ill-treating of it. What do you mean by it, eh?"