82 The Book of Cats. 



merry church of Bow is to be seen on the other 

 side of a wooden fence, apparently fifty yards 

 off. 



" Then taking heart, he wandered home, 

 But meeting on the road 

 A boy, who had a Cat to sell, 

 He took't to his abode." 



(I think, now, that " took't " shows real genius ! 

 How else could you have got over the diffi- 

 culty ?) 



' ' She drove away the rats and mice — 

 She was his only friend," — 



(This is true pathos.) 



•' But when the Merchant went abroad, 

 He Puss did with him send." 



(This part wants thinking over. It means Whit- 

 tington sent the Cat with his master ; please, how- 

 ever, read on) : — 



*' It was the only thing he had — 

 Each servant something sent ; 

 The cook became more cruel still 

 After her master went. 

 Meanwhile Puss sail'd across the seas, 

 Unto the Moorish Court, 

 And to the palace of the King 

 The merchant Pussy brought ; 



