A STUDY OF CHARACTER. 203 



and went down to breakfast with the rest of the 

 family. Now, when the mistress was absent 

 from home, and at no other time, Calvin would 

 come in the morning, when the bell rang, to the 

 head of the bed, put up his feet and look into 

 my face, follow me about when I rose, "assist" 

 at the dressing, and in many purring ways show 

 his fondness, as if he had plainly said, " I know 

 that she has gone away, but I am here." Such 

 was Calvin in rare moments. 



He had his limitations. Whatever passion he 

 had for nature, he had no conception of art. 

 There was sent to him once a fine and very 

 expressive cat's head in bronze, by Fremiet. I 

 placed it on the floor. He regarded it intently, 

 approached it cautiously and crouchingly, touched 

 it with his nose, perceived the fraud, turned away 

 abruptly, and never would notice it afterward. 

 On the whole, his life was not only a successful 

 one, but a happy one. He never had but one 



