=THE CAT 



his displeasure by going to bed and to sleep with- 

 out me. I was so touched by this mute protest 

 against my innocent dissipations that I resolved to 

 amend my ways; but it was a long time before I 

 could convince Pierrot that my conversion was sin- 

 cere. Many nights of unbroken punctuality were 

 needed to restore his confidence, and induce him to 

 take up his old post by the door, and to receive me 

 with his old urbanity. 



It is no easy task to win the friendship of a cat. 

 He is a philosopher, sedate, tranquil, a creature of 

 habit, a lover of decency and order. He does not 

 bestow his regard lightly, and, though he may con- 

 sent to be your companion, he will never be your 

 slave. Even in his most affectionate moods he 

 preserves his freedom, and refuses a servile obedi- 

 ence. But once gain his absolute confidence, and 

 he is a friend for life. He shares your hours of 

 work, of solitude, of melancholy. He spends 

 whole evenings on your knee, purring and dozing, 

 content with your silence, and spurning for your 

 sake the society of his kind. In vain loud miaul- 

 ings from the neighbouring roof summon him to 

 those choice entertainments where red herrings take 

 the place of tea. He pays no heed, and cannot be 

 tempted from your side. If you put him down, 

 he leaps back again, mewing a gentle protest. 

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