"PRET." 



199 



in the light of a quadrupedal ball without even uttering a sound of displeasure. Or 

 he might be employed as footstool, a " boa," or a pillow, and in either case would 

 placidly go to sleep. 



This kind of behavior was the more extraordinary because his natural disposition 

 was of a peculiarly dignified character, and no human being could feel a slight more 

 keenly than " Purruts." Those whom he favored with his confidence, and they were 

 but few, might toss him about, make him jump over their hands, or leap on their shoul- 

 ders and walk along their extended arms, and he would remain calm and complacent. 

 But let any one laugh at him, and he immediately asserted his dignity by walking away 

 very slowly, with his tail very upright and his whole person swaggering from side to 

 side in a most self-asserting manner. 



Only a short time ago, died one of the most accomplished and singular Cats that 

 ever caught a mouse or sat on a hearth-rug. 



Her name was " Pret," being an abbreviation of " Prettina," a title which was given 

 to her on account of the singular grace of her form and the beauty of her fur, which 

 was soft as that of a chinchilla. Her color was a very light gray tabby, and she was 

 remarkable for an almost humanly expressive countenance, and an exceedingly long 

 nose and tail. Her accomplishments were all self-taught, for she had never learned 

 the usual routine of feline acquirements. 



" Pret " was brought when quite a kitten from the Continent, being one of a rather 

 peculiar breed of Cats, remarkable for the length of their tails and the softness of their 

 fur. She accompanied her mistress in rather a lengthened journey, and finally settled 

 down in England, not very far from the metropolis. Her mistress kindly sent me the 

 following account of " Pret's " conduct during a severe illness : 



" Three years ago I had a lovely kitten presented to me. Her fur was of a beautiful 

 blue-gray color, marked with glossy black stripes, according to the most approved 

 zebra or tiger fashion. She was so very pretty that she was named ' Pret,' and was, 

 without exception, the wisest, most loving, and dainty pussy that ever crossed my path. 



When Pret was very young, I fell ill with a nervous fever. She missed me imme- 

 diately in my accustomed place, sought for me, and placed herself at my door until she 

 found a chance of getting into the room, which she soon accomplished, and began at 

 once to try her little best to amuse me with her little frisky kitten tricks and pussy-cat 

 attentions. But soon finding that I was too ill to play with her, she placed herself be- 

 side me, and at once established herself as head nurse. In this capacity few human 

 beings could have exceeded her in watchfulness, or manifested more affectionate regard. 

 It was truly wonderful to note how soon she learned to know the different hours at 

 which I ought to take medicine or nourishment ; and during the night, if my attendant 

 were asleep, she would call her, and, if she could not awake her without such extreme 

 measures, she would gently nibble the nose of the sleeper, which means never failed to 

 produce the desired effect. Having thus achieved her purpose, Miss Pret would watch 

 attentively the preparation of whatever was needed, and then come and with a gentle 

 purr-purr announce its advent to me. 



The most marvellous part of the matter was, her never being five minutes wrong in 

 her calculations of the true time, even amid the stillness and darkness of night. But 

 who shall say by what means this little being was enabled to measure the fleeting 

 moments, and by the aid of what power did she connect the lapse of time with the 

 needful attentions of a nurse and her charge ? Surely we have here something more 

 than reason." 



The never-failing accuracy of this wise little Cat was the more surprising because 

 she was equally infallible by night or day. There was no striking clock in the house, 

 so that she could not have been assisted by its aid ; nor was it habit, for her assiduous 

 attentions only began with the illness, and ceased with the recovery of the invalid. 

 Instinct, popularly so called, will not account for this wonderful capability so suddenly 

 coming into being, and so suddenly ceasing. Surely some spirit-guiding power must 

 have animated this sympathetic little creature, and have directed her in her labor of love. 



