interrupted him often in the midst of his labors or
meditations, by little caresses that were very touching, and she usually
followed him in his walks. During his absence she sought and called for
him all the time. She knew his voice at a distance, and seemed on each
fresh meeting with him to feel increased delight.

"This animal," says Sonnini, "was my principal amusement for several
years. How plainly was her love for me shown in her face! How many
times have her caresses made me forget my troubles and comforted me in
the midst of my misfortunes! My beautiful and interesting companion,
however, at last died. After several days of suffering, during which I
never left her, the light of her eyes, which were constantly fixed on
me, went out, and her death rent my heart with sorrow."

[Illustration]

LX

THE DINNER BELL

It is customary in large boarding-houses to announce the dinner-hour by
sounding a bell. A cat belonging to one of these houses always hastened
to the hall on hearing the bell, to get its usual meal; but it happened
one day that she was shut up at dinner time in a chamber, and it was in
vain for her that the bell had rung. Some hours afterward, having been
released from her confinement, she hastened to the hall, but found
nothing left for her. The clever cat then went to the bell, and ringing
it, tried to call the family to a second dinner, in which she hoped to
get her usual share.

[Illustration]

LXI

FORAGING

A constable once made a complaint before a bench of London magistrates
against a horse for stealing hay. The complainant stated that the horse
came regularly every night of its own accord, and without any attendant,
to the coach stands in St. George's, ate all he wanted, and then
galloped away. He defied the whole of the parish officers to catch him;
for if they tried to go near him while he was eating, he would throw up
his heels and kick at them, or run at them, and if they did not get out
of the way, he would bite them. The constable, therefore, thought it
best to bring the case to the attention of the magistrates.

"Well, Mr. Constable," said one of the magistrates, "if you should be
annoyed again by this animal in the execution of your duty, you may
arrest him if you can, and bring him before us to answer your
complaints."

[Illustration]

LXII

THE TAME SEA GULL

Many years ago a gentleman accidentally caught a sea-gull. He cut its
wings and put