animal was death; but woe to the luckless person who even accidentally
killed a cat? for he was set upon by the infuriated people, and torn to
pieces without trial.

[Illustration: EGYPTIAN SAVING HIS CAT.]




THE CAT'S QUESTIONS.


Dozing, and dozing, and dozing!
Pleasant enough,
Dreaming of sweet cream and mouse-meat.
Delicate stuff!

Of raids on the pantry and hen-coop,
Or light, stealthy tread
Of cat gossips, meeting by moonlight
On ridge-pole or shed.

Waked by a somersault, whirling,
Whirling from cushion to floor;
Waked from a wild rush of safety
From window to door.

Waking two hands that first smooth us,
And then pull our tails;
Punished with slaps when we show them