on. She rose
from her seat, and stepped softly up to the door, which stood ajar, to
observe what was going on.

"The cat led the dog at once to the cupboard which contained the
partridge, pushed off the plate which covered it, and taking out my
intended supper, laid it before her canine friend, who devoured it
greedily. No doubt the cat, by her mewing, had made him understand what
an excellent meal she had made, and how sorry she was that he had not
participated in it; but at the same time had told him there was
something left for him in the cupboard, and persuaded him to follow her
there.

"Since that time, I have paid particular attention to these animals, and
am convinced that they communicate to each other whatever seems
interesting to either."

CHAPTER IV.

FIDELLE AT PRAYERS.

Mr. Lee was a religious man, accustomed to having morning and evening
devotions, at which all the family were present. Fidelle had for a long
time made it a point to be in the parlor on such occasions, and often
caused a smile by the eagerness with which she ran to join them on their
return from the table.

One morning, Mrs. Lee was quite ill, and unable to leave her chamber.
The family, however, assembled as usual for prayers, and Fidelle among
them. She seemed instantly to notice that the lady was not in her
accustomed place, and, after an earnest gaze into Minnie's face, started
off to call her.

Mrs. Lee was quite surprised to see the cat come walking quickly into
the room, up to the side of the sofa where she was lying. There she
stopped, and, gazing at her, cried, "Meow! meow!" Then she ran out to
the hall, and part way down the stairs. But finding the lady did not
follow, she returned again, and still more earnestly cried, "Meow!
meow!" trying to make her understand that, instead of lying there, she
ought to be below, attending prayers.

This she did three times; after which she concluded, perhaps, that she
had better not abstain from the service because the lady did so, and she
therefore quietly took her usual place near Mr. Lee.

It was invariably her custom to remain with her eyes tightly closed
while the gentleman read the Scriptures; then, when he closed the book,
and the family knelt for prayer, she arose, turned over, and sat down
again, which was the nearest approach she could make to imitating them.
In this position she remained quietly until the service was concluded,
when she at once began to caper and