148 RIVERSIDE LETTERS XIX 



fiddling in the cold with a match, your spec- 

 tacles, and a thermometer. 



I do not take much interest in tables, re- 

 cords, or statistics, useful as they are no doubt 

 in their way ; all I want to do is to save my 

 plants and my pipes, and know how many 

 blankets to put over me in bed. 



Painti::g in my studio just now is almost 

 out of the question, for in spite of a large Gill 

 stove I cannot keep my hands warm for five 

 consecutive minutes. I just look at my picture, 

 put on an occasional touch, and run away. 



Though you do not care much for dogs, I 

 know you love cats, and it would please you 

 to see our brown Ben and a fluffy black 

 kitten, named " The Royal Imp," play toge- 

 ther. She does his toilet for him at times, in 

 front of the fire, which he greatly enjoys ; on 

 the other hand, when he licks her he makes 

 her hair uncomfortably wet. A cat's tongue 

 always feels rather dry and rough, and acts 

 like a comb on the fur, but the dog's tongue 

 is soft and wet. 



