Spike's mother is coming to visit, so he pleads with Heathcliff to let it appear that he runs things around the neighborhood. Spike says he'd be a disgrace to his family if they knew he was second to a cat. Heathcliff refuses on the grounds that he doesn't want his neighborhood misrepresented, and continues to torment Spike at every opportunity. However, Heathcliff quickly learns that he is no match for Spike's mother.