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THE CAT=<br />
need to wait until <strong>the</strong> guests arrive, to make sure<br />
of this fact. As soon as she sees that knife, fork<br />
and spoon are lying by her plate, she assumes that<br />
she is not expected at table, and retires without<br />
umbrage to <strong>the</strong> piano stool, which is her refuge on<br />
such occasions. Those who deny that animals are<br />
capable of reasoning may explain this conduct as<br />
best <strong>the</strong>y can. My observant and judicious little<br />
<strong>cat</strong> perceives at her place certain utensils which are<br />
used only by human beings, and <strong>the</strong>refore con-<br />
cludes that she must this day resign her privileges<br />
in favour of a visitor. She never suffers herself to<br />
be mistaken ; but now and <strong>the</strong>n, if she recognizes an<br />
old friend, she will leap upon his knee, and intimate<br />
that she is ready to accept any choice morsel which<br />
he may be disposed to share with her.<br />
Menagerie Intime, Theophile Gautier.<br />
97