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the cat - World eBook Library

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The Companionable Cat<br />

THE CAT<br />

My <strong>cat</strong> in winter time usually sleeps upon my<br />

dog, who submits in patience; and I have often<br />

found her on horseback in <strong>the</strong> stable, not from any<br />

taste for equestrianism, but simply because a horse-<br />

cloth is a perpetual warmer when <strong>the</strong>re is a living<br />

horse beneath it. She loves <strong>the</strong> dog and horse with<br />

<strong>the</strong> tender regard we have for foot-warmers and<br />

railway rugs during a journey in <strong>the</strong> depth of win-<br />

ter ; nor have I ever been able to detect in her any<br />

worthier sentiment towards her master. Yet of all<br />

animals that we can have in a room with us, <strong>the</strong><br />

<strong>cat</strong> is <strong>the</strong> least disquieting. Her presence is sooth-<br />

ing to a student, as <strong>the</strong> presence of a quiet nurse<br />

is soothing to an invalid. It is agreeable to feel<br />

that you are not absolutely alone, and it seems to<br />

you, when you are at work, as if <strong>the</strong> <strong>cat</strong> took care<br />

that all her movements should be noiseless, purely<br />

out of consideration for your comfort. Then, if<br />

you have time to caress her, you know that she<br />

will purr a response, and why inquire too closely<br />

into <strong>the</strong> sincerity of her affection?<br />

Philip Gilbert Hamerton.<br />

28

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