24 The Book of Cats. 



A certain country priest in Tuscany, who lived 

 quite alone with his servants, naturally attached 

 himself, in the want of better society, to a fine he- 

 cat, which sat by his stove in winter, and always 

 ate from his plate. 



One day a brother priest was the good man's 

 guest, and, in the rare enjoyment of genial conver- 

 sation, the Cat was neglected ; resenting this, he 

 attempted to help himself from his master's plate, 

 instead of waiting for the special morsels which 

 were usually placed on the margin for his use, and 

 was requited with a sharp rap on the head for the 

 liberty. This excited the animal's indignation still 

 more, and springing from the table with an angry 

 cry, he darted to the other side of the room. The 

 two priests thought no more of the Cat until the 

 cloth was about to be removed ; when the master 

 of the house prepared a plateful of scraps for his 

 forward favourite, and called him by name to come 

 and enjoy his share of the feast. No joyful Cat 

 obeyed the familiar call : his master observed him 

 looking sulkily from the recess of the window, and 

 rose, holding out the plate, and calling to him in a 

 caressing voice. As he did not approach, however, 

 the old gentleman put the platter aside, saying 

 he might please himself, and sulk instead of dine, 



