"'E's a tryant," Frederick has said.

Such is an epitome of the kitchen gossip concerning Mr. Marrapit; it
is wholesome to be away from such tattling, and personally to approach
the lawn whereon its subject sits.



II.

This lawn, a delectable sight on this fine July afternoon, is set
about with wire netting to a height of some six feet. By the energies
of Mr. Fletcher and Frederick the sward is exquisitely trimmed and
rolled; and their labours join with the wire netting to make the lawn
a safe and pleasant exercise ground for Mr. Marrapit's cats.

Back in the days of Mr. Marrapit's first occupancy of Herons' Holt,
this man was a mighty amateur breeder of cats, and a rare army of cats
possessed. Regal cats he had, queenly cats, imperial neuter cats; blue
cats, grey cats, orange cats, and white cats--cats for which nothing
was too good, upon which too much money could not be spent nor too
much love be lavished. Latterly, with tremendous wrenchings of the
heart, he had disbanded this galaxy of cats. Changes in his household
were partly the cause of this step. The coming of his nephew, George,
had seriously upset the peaceful routine of existence which it was his
delight to lead; and a reason even more compelling was the gradual
alteration in his attitude towards his hobby. This man perceived that
the fancier's eye with which he regarded his darlings was becoming so
powerful as to render his lover's eye in danger of being atrophied.
The fancier's eye was lit by the brain--delighted only in "points," in