CONCERNING CATS 53 
succeeded in keeping the inmates on their side of the 
garden wall. A cat, when once it has received the 
charge from a “Gem” air gun, is a remarkably wary 
animal. No cat ever ventured outside that Home with- 
out keeping an eye on the windows of our house. If 
any one appeared at a window the cat would show a 
turn of speed that would do credit to any greyhound. 
I remember on one occasion looking out of the window 
and seeing the lady novelist stroking “dear pussy.” The 
creature was purring contentedly, and all went well 
until it happened to catch sight of me. In less time 
than it takes to say “ Jack Robinson” that cat had put 
three gardens between itself and me. The astonish- 
ment of the lady writer at the seemingly extraordinary 
behaviour of “ puss” was good to watch. But cats are 
not without their redeeming features. They catch mice, 
and the bolder spirits among them will stand up to 
a rat. 
Further, the veneer of domestication covers the cat so 
scantily that it is scarcely necessary to go into the 
wilderness in order to study the ways of the fede in a 
state of nature. It suffices to watch puss. Note the 
stealth with which she walks and the noiselessness of 
her footfall. Contrast her silent gait with the noisy 
pitter-patter of the dog. There is, of course, no neces- 
sity for pussy to walk as though she were dodging a 
policeman; this practice is the survival of a trait 
useful, nay indispensable, to the wild species, which 
have to stalk over dried grass and shrivelled leaves a 
prey which is keen of hearing and fleet of foot. Notice 
the tremendous speed at which a cat can run and the 
