THE CAT TO-DAY 285 



" The gentler hound that near me lies, 

 Looks up with true and tender eyes, 

 And waits my generous mirth ; 

 You do not woo me, but demand 

 A gift from my unwilling hand, 

 A tribute to your worth. 



" You loved me when the fire was warm, 

 But, now I stretch a fondling arm, 



You eye me and depart. 

 Cold eyes, sleek skin, and velvet paws, 

 You win my indolent applause, 



You do not win my heart ! " 



Here is a clear and candid exposition of the case. 

 The cat, indeed, as Montaigne discovered, but with- 

 out resentment, long ago, awaits no one's mirth. 

 " We entertain each other with mutual follies, and 

 if I have my time to begin or to refuse, she also 

 has hers." The essence of free social intercourse 

 demands this mutual independence, this mutual 

 background of reserve. A Nautch girl dances 

 when she is bidden ; an Englishwoman is privi- 

 leged to dance or not, according to her fancy. I 

 have often thought that the behaviour of a well-bred 

 cat, when courted against her will, was singularly 

 like the behaviour of a well-bred man or woman, 

 forced by the exigencies of life to receive unwel- 

 come attentions. She offers no rude resistance to 

 the " fondling arm," and even purrs a few languid 

 remarks, equivalent to "Delightful evening." " So 



