l6o The Book of Cats. 



"You can have no more of a Cat than her skin." 

 This proverb seems to refer to the unfitness of her 

 flesh for food. Formerly the fur of the Cat was used 

 in trimming coats and cloaks. The Cat-gut used 

 for rackets, and for the fine strings of violins, is 

 made from the dried intestines of the Cat, the 

 larger strings being from the intestines of sheep 

 and lambs. 



" Fain would the Cat fish eat, but she is loth 

 to wet her feet." 



" The Cat sees not the mouse ever." 



" When the Cat winketh, little wots the mouse 

 what the Cat thinketh." 



" Though the Cat winks a while, yet sure she is 

 not blind." 



" Well might the Cat wink when both her eyes 

 were out .'' " 



" How can the Cat help it, if the maid be a 

 fool .'' " Which means how can it help breaking 

 or stealing that which is left in its way } 



" That that comes of a Cat will catch mice." 



" A Cat may look at a king." 



" An old Cat laps as much as a young kitten." 



"When the Cat is away, the mice will play." 



" When candles are out, all Cats are grey." Other- 

 wise, " Joan is as good as my Lady in the dark." 



