The Story of My Cats 



whence the lightning comes and the thunder; 

 by what device our thoughts are transmitted 

 across the seas and continents by means of 

 a metal wire; why fire burns and why we 

 breathe; how a seed puts forth shoots and 

 how a flower blossoms: all eminently hateful 

 things in the eyes of some people, whose fee- 

 ble eyes are dazzled by the light of day. 



The little lamp must be put out as quickly 

 as possible and measures taken to get rid of 

 the officious person who strove to keep it 

 alight. The scheme was darkly plotted with 

 the old maids who owned my house and who 

 saw the abomination of desolation in these 

 new educational methods. I had no written 

 agreement to protect me. The bailiff appeared 

 with a notice on stamped paper. It baldly 

 informed me that I must move out within 

 four weeks from date, failing which the law 

 would turn my goods and chattels into the 

 street. I had hurriedly to provide myself 

 with a dwelling. The first house which we 

 found happened to be at Orange. Thus was 

 my exodus from Avignon effected. 



We were somewhat anxious about the mo- 

 ving of the Cats. We were all of us attached 

 to them and should have thought it nothing 

 "3 



