The Book of Cats. 1 41 



out to look after the Cat, when the animal, mewing, 

 led the way to a bed-room on the first floor, from 

 under a wardrobe in which a. small voice was heard 

 crying. Puss had brought one of her babies down- 

 stairs, and was racked with anxiety respecting its 

 welfare while she fetched the others. It was as 

 clear as possible she wanted Pincher to lend a paw 

 — that is to say, look after this isolated infant 

 while she brought down the rest. The lady took 

 up the kitten in her arms, and accompanied Puss 

 up-stairs, then moved the little bed from the 

 window, through which the lightning had been 

 flashing so vividly as to alarm Puss for the safety 

 of her family. She remained with the Cat until 

 the storm had subsided, and all was calm. On the 

 following morning, the lady w^as much surprised to 

 find Puss waiting for her outside her bed-room door, 

 and she went with her down-stairs to breakfast, 

 sat by her side, and caressed her in every possible 

 way. Puss had always been in the habit of going 

 down with the lady of the house, but on this occa- 

 sion she had resisted all her mistress's coaxing to 

 leave the other lady's door, and would not go 

 away until she made her appearance. She re- 

 mained till breakfast was over, then went up-stairs 

 to her family. She had never done this before. 



