GRIMALKIN THE CAT 
139 
returned from a three weeks' sojourn in the woods. 
His coat was sleek and glossy, and comfortable 
and contented was his face, as of one who had lived 
well for some time. The early autumn evening 
was drawing in after a still, misty day. Sir Charles 
squatted by the ashpit wall ; and Grimalkin from 
the scullery steps noted with admiration how he drew 
his supple paw behind his ears after applying it to 
his tongue, and how he scientifically smoothed his 
sooty waistcoat. Suddenly he ceased his ablutions 
and gazed fixedly at the foot of the wall, lashing his 
tail lightly. Grimalkin, following the direction of 
his eyes, saw a tiny grey dot moving among the 
cobblestones. The black cat made a dart springing 
out and back in two nimble bounds then cantered 
across the yard with it in his mouth. He dropped 
it on the stones and watched it scurry for covert, 
but before it could reach it he headed it off and 
struck it with his paw. Henceforth it ran round in 
little futile circles as though bewildered, and every 
time it scuttled out of striking distance he carried 
it back to the middle of the yard. Suddenly he 
caught sight of Grimalkin, crouched hard by with 
his eyes as round as a pigeon's as he watched this 
most fascinating game. The veteran breathed a 
low growl over his shoulder which made the kitten 
shrink hastily behind the doorpost ; but the next 
