the cat - World eBook Library

THE CAT=
has he won from her the smallest token of regard.
Never has she vouchsafed him a caress by way of
thanks, nor consented to go to him, when called
with loving words and tender cajoleries.
Here is a picture painted with sincerity, and in
unvarnished colours. No devotion on our part can
soften these little tyrants whom we never dream of
resisting, and who end by triumphing even over the
dog, their ancient and hereditary foe. Alas, poor
dog! He is the perfect friend of man, the slave
of our caprices, " mechanically faithful," to use an
admirable phrase of Mme. de Custine, and, through
no fault of his own, condemned to love us. Now
he sees himself dispossessed, not only of our ex-
clusive favour, but of his accustomed place in our
chimney corner. Hardly has he stretched himself
on the rug before the fire, when the cat, apparently
on the best of terms with her old adversary, ap-
proaches silently and softly, like a skilled strate-
gist, and seats herself by his side, as close as she
can very well get to him. This done, she proceeds
to roll herself into a ball, then rises and stretches
her limbs, then turns round and round, so as to
toast every part of her little body, always contriv-
ing to disturb the dog, and compel him to insensibly
give place. The poor beast tucks his tail out of
sight, then his paws and his nose ; but finding him-
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