TOMMY AND PEARLIE. 37 



kinds lettuces, clover-blossoms, and rose-petals, 

 while dates, raisins, and bread and milk supply 

 solid items of food. Thus fed and warmly housed 

 these creatures can be kept in splendid health with 

 very little trouble. 



Pearlie was so named from his fur being of a soft 

 pearl-grey colour, the long tail being banded with 

 alternate rings of black and white. His face and 

 chest are also curiously marked in black and white, 

 the eyes bright orange, and the general expression 

 is as gentle as that of a little cat. 



We found out in the course of time that Tommy 

 was of the gentler sex ! Her name must therefore 

 be considered the diminutive for Thomasina at 

 least I see no other way out of the difficulty, as 

 a new name would not be responded to or under- 

 stood. 



Pearlie's portrait requires a word of explanation. 

 His great delight in cold weather is to be allowed 

 to sit on a hassock before the drawing-room fire 

 and bask in its warmth. The instant he is seated 

 before the cheerful blaze, up go his little arms in 

 a worshipping attitude like a veritable Parsee. 

 Thus he will remain for hours content and happy 

 as long as I am in the room, but if left alone he 



