62 THE CAT AND THE BURGLARS.

kindly patting, induced her to take a little. This was re-
peated daily until my return, Puss never having been seen
to leave her bed. As soon as she heard my voice she came
into the house of her own accord, although scarcely able to
walk across the green. Her purring and rubbing of welcome
were most affecting and affectionate. From that day forward
she revived, although it was not until her little friends re-
turned that she seemed really like herself. Since then she
has-been well and lively, and apparently as happy as she has
any wish to be. Long life to her!

From our story it will be plainly seen that “even a cat”
is capable of no small amount of affection, and we trust that
our little readers will bear this well in mind. Let them culti-
vate a kindly feeling towards all dumb animals, and especially
for such a useful domestic pet as the cat undoubtedly is!
There are few sights more interesting and pleasing than that
of a child at play with his favourite animal, be it dog, rabbit,
or cat; and where mutual kindness obtains, as in the case
of “our Puss,” the influence for good, and the benefit in after-
life, which the fostering of such simple kindly feeling is cal-
culated to produce, cannot easily be over-estimated.

 

THE CAT AND THE BURGLARS.

No stronger evidence of the wisdom of the cat is to be found

 

 

than an instance told to me by my friend, Mrs. F , and
for the truth of which I can answer.

A lady, Miss P , who was a governess in her family,
had formerly held the same post in that of Lord , in