LI. A Page of High History 



THIS is the story of a "harmless, necessary 

 cat." I think I told you some time ago 

 that the children make it a practice to 

 name their cats after prominent person- 

 ages in history and public life. Lady Jane Grey is 

 a gentle, domesticated cat of many admirable quali- 

 ties and her name seems very appropriate. Her fur 

 is grey, her table manners perfect, and in disposi- 

 tion she is kind and affectionate. The other cats 

 have been named with equal judgment and discre- 

 tion, but I dare not mention their names for fear 

 that public men who have not been honoured 

 might feel jealous. I had become quite ac- 

 customed to the high sounding names of the 

 household pets, and had acquired the habit of in- 

 quiring every night at bedtime for the whereabouts 

 of certain distinguished persons. Often and often 

 when shutting up the house for the night I have 

 kicked out some of our most honoured names just 

 as ruthlessly as if I were an office-hungry Opposition 



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