the cat - World eBook Library

THE CAT
— Rrrrrrrrr
There was no response. The cat's back rose
into a miniature mountain, her fur bristled, all the
grace and beauty which are born of a tranquil soul
deserted her. She curveted sideways as though
meditating an attack, and then sank slowly on the
floor in the superb attitude of an Egyptian sphinx.
Only her gleaming eyes and twitching tail betrayed
the tumult of her soul. Like a diplomatist who,
in his library, studies a map of Europe and plans
the destruction of an empire, so the cat concealed
her murderous designs until the time was ripe for
action. She even seemed disposed to abandon the
game of war, and leave her defenceless enemy at
peace ; but this was pure hypocrisy. Another mo-
ment, and she had leaped upon Punchinello, bury-
ing her claws in his breast, and rending into shreds
his rich embroidered coat. Well she knew that his
master was at school, and, heedless of all the care
that had been lavished upon her education, she
forgot that she was a domestic cat, and became a
beast of prey.
Poor Punchinello! Of what avail now was his
drum, or the stick with which he had dealt so many
merry blows ? The cat dragged him over the floor,
flung him hither and thither, clawed off his wig
(unspeakable indignity!), lacerated him with her
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