Concerning Cats 



in the morning. This theoretically lasts them until five. 

 I say theoretically, because if they wake from their 

 invariable naps at one, and smell lunch, they individu- 

 ally wheedle some one into feeding them. But this is 

 only individually. Collectively they are fed at five. 



They are the most methodical creatures in the 

 world. They go to bed regularly at night when 

 the family does. They are waiting in the kitchen 

 for breakfast when the fire is started in the morn- 

 ing. Then they go out of doors and play, or hunt, or 

 ruminate until ten o'clock, when they come in, seek 

 their favorite resting-places, and sleep until four. 

 Evidently, from four to five is a play hour, and the 

 one who wakes first is expected to stir up the others. 

 But at exactly five, no matter where they may have 

 strayed to, every one of the three, five, or seven 

 (as the number may happen to be) will be sitting in 

 his own particular place in the kitchen, waiting with 

 patient eagerness for supper. For each has a par- 

 ticular place for eating, just as bigger folk have their 

 places at the dining table. Thomas Erastus sits in a 

 comer; the space under the table is reserved espe- 

 cially for Jane. Pompanita is at his mistress's feet, 

 and Lady Betty, the Angora, bounds to her shoulder 

 when their meat appears. Their table manners are 

 quite irreproachable also. It is considered quite 

 unpardonable to snatch at another's piece of meat, 

 and a breach of the best cat-etiquette to show impa- 

 tience while another is being fed. 



3° 



