Concerning Cat Artists 



But it so happened that in the same year a friendly 

 kitten came to live in her home, wandering in through 

 the open doorway from no one knew where, and 

 deciding, after sniffing about the place in cat fashion, 

 to remain there for the remainder of its days. And 

 it also happened that Madame Ronner was lured by 

 this small stranger, who so coolly quartered himself 

 upon her, to change the whole current of her artistic 

 life, and to paint cats instead of dogs. Of course, 

 this change could not be made in a moment; but 

 after that the pictures which she painted to please 

 herself were cat pictures, and as these were exhibited 

 and her reputation as a cat painter became estab- 

 lished, cat orders took the place of dog orders more 

 and more, until at last her time was given wholly to 

 cat painting. Her success in painting cat action has 

 been due as much to her tireless patience as to her 

 skill; a patience that gave her strength to spend 

 hours upon hours in carefully watching the quick 

 movements of the lithe little creatures, and in cor- 

 recting again and again her rapidly made sketches. 



Every cat-lover knows that a cat cannot be induced, 

 either by reason or by affection, to act in accordance 

 with any wishes save its own. Also that cats find 

 malicious amusement in doing what they know they 

 are not wanted to do, and that with an affectation of 

 innocence that materially aggravates their deliberate 

 offence. 



But Madame Ronner, through her long experience, 

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