I40 The Book of Cats. 



her head against him, purring with delight. When 

 he lay before the kitchen fire, she used him as a 

 bed, pulling up and settling his hair with her claws 

 to make it comfortable. As soon as she had 

 arranged it to her liking, she lay down upon him, 

 and fell asleep. The dog bore this combing of his 

 locks with patient placidity, turning his head towards 

 her during the operation, and sometimes gently 

 licked her. 



Pincher and Puss were sworn friends. Puss had 

 a young family, with whom Pincher was on visiting 

 terms. The nursery was at the top of the house. 

 One day there was a storm ; Puss was upstairs with 

 the babies, and Pincher was in the parlour. Pincher 

 evidently was disturbed by the thunder.' Presently 

 Puss came down-stairs mewing, went straight to 

 Pincher, rubbed her cheek against his, and touched 

 him gently with her paw, and then walked to the 

 door, and, looking back, mewed, as though asking 

 him go with her. But Pincher was himself sorely 

 afraid, and could render no assistance. Puss grew 

 desperate, and having renewed her application with 

 increased energy, but without success, at last left 

 the room, mewing piteously, while Pincher sat, with 

 a guilty face, evidently knowing his conduct was 

 selfish. A lady, who had watched this scene, went 



