THE CAT 



The Point of View 



" Dog," said the Cat to a little fat spaniel coiled 

 up on a rug, like a lady's muff with a head and tail 

 stuck on to it ; " Dog, what do you make of it all ? " 



The Dog opened his languid eyes, looked sleepily 

 at the Cat for a moment, and dropped them again. 



" Dog," said the Cat, " I want to talk to you ; 

 don't go to sleep. Can't you answer a civil ques- 

 tion? " 



" Don't bother me," said the Dog. " I am tired. 

 I stood on my hind legs ten minutes this morning 

 before I could get my breakfast, and it hasn't 

 agreed with me." 



" Who told you to do it? " said the Cat. 



" Why, the lady I have to take care of me," 

 replied the Dog. 



" Do you feel any better for it, Dog, after you 

 have been standing on your hind legs ? " 



" Haven't I told you, you stupid Cat, that it 

 hasn't agreed with me? Let me go to sleep, and 

 don't plague me." 



" But I mean," persisted the Cat, " do you feel 

 improved, as human beings call it ? They tell their 

 children that if they will do what they are told, 

 they will improve, and grow good and great. Do 

 you feel good and great? " 



140 



