apparent pleasure and afforded him considerable comfort. But that night
he could not prevail upon her to sleep in bed with him, and finally
allowed her to sleep on a mat beside the bed where he could stretch down
and touch her. So they passed the night, with his hand upon her head.

The next morning he had more of a struggle than ever to wash and dress
her. Indeed at one time nothing but holding her by the scruff prevented
her from getting away from him, but at last he achieved his object and
she was washed, brushed, scented and dressed, although to be sure this
left him better pleased than her, for she regarded her silk jacket with
disfavour.

Still at breakfast she was well mannered though a trifle hasty with her
food. Then his difficulties with her began for she would go out, but as
he had his housework to do, he could not allow it. He brought her
picture books to divert her, but she would have none of them but stayed
at the door scratching it with her claws industriously till she had worn
away the paint.

At first he tried coaxing her and wheedling, gave her cards to play
patience and so on, but finding nothing would distract her from going
out, his temper began to rise, and he told her plainly that she must
wait his pleasure and that he had as much natural obstinacy as she had.
But to all that he said she paid no heed whatever but only scratched the
harder. Thus he let her continue until luncheon, when she would not sit
up, or eat off a plate, but first was for getting on to the table, and
when that was prevented, snatched her meat and ate it under the table.
To all his rebukes she turned a deaf or sullen ear, and so they each
finished their meal eating little, either of them, for till she would
sit at table he would give her no more, and his vexation had taken away