TJie Book of Cats. 255 



There was a gentleman who had a tortoiseshell 

 Cat, which, though he never fed it, or paid much 

 attention to it, formed an attachment for him equal 

 to that of a dog. It knew his ring at the bells, and 

 at whatever time he came home, it was rubbing 

 against his legs long before the servant came, saw 

 him into the sitting-room, and then walked off. It 

 was a very active animal, and usually went bird- 

 catching during the night ; but when its master 

 rose, which was generally early in the morning, the 

 Cat was always ready to receive him at the door of 

 his room, and accompany him in his morning walk 

 in the garden, alternately skipping to the tops of 

 the trees, and descending and gambolling about 

 him. When he was in his study, it used to pay him 

 several visits in the day, always short ones ; 6ut it 

 never retired till he had recognized it. If rubbing 

 against his legs had not the desired effect, it would 

 mount the writing-table, nudge his shoulder, and if 

 that would not do, pat him on the cheek ; but the 

 moment he had shaken it by the paw, and given 

 it a pat or two on the head, it walked off. Wlien 

 he was indisposed, it paid him several visits every 

 day, but continued in the room ; and although it 

 was fond of society generally, and also of its food ; 

 it never obtruded its company during meals. Its 



