THE CAT TO-DAY 253 



time, and disposed to resent her intrusion ; but the 

 mother's joy was as excessive as if she had been 

 parted from them for but a single night. 



In fact, maternal affection is the only sentiment 

 which can compete in the cat's little heart with her 

 fondness for her dwelling-place. She loves her kit- 

 tens, and she loves her home ; and, when these two 

 emotions contend for mastery, it will be generally 

 found that her love for her kittens triumphs. A 

 pathetic proof of this was afforded by a cat belong- 

 ing to an English military chaplain at Madras. 

 Her master, moving to the other side of the town, 

 left her behind, or rather gave her to the new 

 tenant, believing she would be more content under 

 her familiar rooftree. Six weeks later she stood at 

 his door, holding in her mouth a young kitten, 



" Sole daughter of her house and heart," 



which, when admitted, she laid at his feet for sanc- 

 tuary. It was then discovered that the rest of her 

 litter had been drowned ; and the poor mother, 

 with an intelligence miraculously sharpened by love 

 and fear, had carried the one little survivor to her 

 only friend, to beg his pity and protection. 



For what pangs are suffered all their lives by 

 these animals whose fecundity is their bane ; little 

 Rachels whose mute wretchedness no one heeds nor 

 commiserates, and who mourn, briefly, it is true, 



