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the cat - World eBook Library

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THE CAT<br />

Oliver<br />

A long series of <strong>cat</strong>s has reigned over my<br />

household for <strong>the</strong> last forty years or <strong>the</strong>reabouts.<br />

The present occupant of <strong>the</strong> throne is a large,<br />

young, grey Tabby,— Oliver by name. Not that<br />

he is in any sense a Protector, for I doubt whe<strong>the</strong>r<br />

he has <strong>the</strong> heart to kill a mouse. However, I saw<br />

him <strong>cat</strong>ch and eat <strong>the</strong> first butterfly of <strong>the</strong> season,<br />

and trust that <strong>the</strong> germ of courage, thus mani-<br />

fested, may develop with age into efficient mousing.<br />

As to sagacity, I should say that his judgment<br />

respecting <strong>the</strong> warmest place and <strong>the</strong> softest<br />

cushion in a room is infallible, his punctuality at<br />

meal times is admirable, and his pertinacity in<br />

jumping on people's shoulders till <strong>the</strong>y give him<br />

some of <strong>the</strong> best of what is going, indi<strong>cat</strong>es great<br />

firmness.<br />

Thomas Huxley to Mr. J. G. Kitton.<br />

112

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