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the cat - World eBook Library

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The Cat's Progress<br />

=THE CAT<br />

Outlawed for centuries, driven ruthlessly from<br />

hearth and home, <strong>the</strong>n tolerated merely as a useful<br />

chattel, <strong>the</strong> <strong>cat</strong> has gradually insinuated herself<br />

into polite society. She has made herself at home<br />

in library and drawing-room, she has reserved for<br />

occasional use kitchen, dining-room and office.<br />

She may be seen drowsing for hours on <strong>the</strong> bed, she<br />

takes exclusive possession of <strong>the</strong> most comfortable<br />

armchair, she curls herself at will on her master's<br />

knee, and, when <strong>the</strong> frost deepens, she always<br />

monopolizes <strong>the</strong> warmest corner by <strong>the</strong> fire.<br />

This is <strong>the</strong> progress, and <strong>the</strong>se are <strong>the</strong> admitted<br />

triumphs of <strong>the</strong> <strong>cat</strong>. She has conquered and do-<br />

mesti<strong>cat</strong>ed man, reduced him to <strong>the</strong> role of an<br />

obedient servant, and required of him that he shall<br />

provide her with <strong>the</strong> luxuries she loves. In doing<br />

this, he but performs his duty, and need expect no<br />

gratitude. The loud declarations of naturalists<br />

count for little by <strong>the</strong> side of such a candid con-<br />

fession as that of M. de Cherville, who tells us in<br />

one of his charming essays that for two years he<br />

has obsequiously served a little <strong>cat</strong>, born under his<br />

roof, and raised by his careful hands. For two<br />

years he has studied her tastes, and shown her every<br />

attention in his power; and never in all this time<br />

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