1 82 THE FIRESIDE SPHINX 



there have been those who felt he did her scant 

 justice. According to M. Fie, the cat is capable 

 of profound afifection, though it is an affection dif- 

 ficult to win, and easy to forfeit. Moreover, the 

 manifestations of her regard can never be forced. 

 We must wait for her caresses until she is pleased 

 to bestow them ; she will accept ours, only when 

 she is in the mood for endearments. In all this 

 she offers a striking contrast to the dog, who, as 

 Mme. de Custine wittily said, " seems condemned 

 to love us," — to love us, however contemptible or 

 unworthy we may be. His, steadfast, unreasoning 

 loyalty is beautiful beyond measure ; but we can 

 hardly deny that it feeds our vanity. Here is a 

 brave and intelligent animal with whom we can 

 be always as lordly as we please ; who never ques- 

 tions our godlike attributes ; who accepts punish- 

 ment meekly, and is exuberantly grateful for the 

 smallest attention, the most trifling token of esteem. 

 What wonder that we sound his praises, seeing that, 

 in praising him, we reflect such credit on ourselves .'' 

 What wonder that we are disposed to resent the 

 self-sufficing nature of the cat, who will approach 

 us only on equal terms, who cherishes no illusions 

 concerning our goodness and greatness, and whose 

 somewhat contemptuous indifference wounds our 

 self-esteem .' Why, it is asked, should we humble 

 ourselves to win the fluctuating affections of a cat, 



