“’I, Mrs. Tabitha, I’—­

“‘You, indeed!’ she interrupted, scornfully.

“’Oh, yes, if you will but condescend to give me instructions.  I am quick to learn.  The short time I have been so happy as to be in your company I have gained much knowledge.  I am sure I can imitate the mew-sic of your voice.  I know I can gently wave my tail, and touch my left whisker with my paw as you do.  When I leave you I shall spend every moment till we meet again in practising your airs and graces, till I make them all my own.  Dear friend,—­if you will let me call you so,—­help me to King Caesar’s place.’

“There was much that was flattering to Mrs. Velvetpaw in this speech.

“‘Well,’ said she, ’I will see what can be done.  There, go home now, and the first thing to be done is to make yourself perfectly clean.  Wash yourself twelve times in the day, from the end of your nose to the tip of your tail.  Take particular pains with your paws.  A cat of refinement is known by the delicacy and cleanliness of her feet.  Farewell!  After three days, meet me here again.’

“You can imagine how faithfully Furry-Purry followed these directions—­how with her sharp tongue she smoothed and stroked every hair of her pretty coat, and washed her face again and again with her wet paws.

“‘You are wretchedly thin!’ Mrs. Tabitha said at their next meeting.  ’That fault can only be remedied by a generous diet.  You must look me full in the face when I talk to you.  Really, you have no need to be ashamed of your eyes, for they are decidedly bright and handsome.  When you walk, don’t bend your legs till your body almost touches the ground.  That gives you a wretchedly hang-cat appearance.  Tread softly and daintily, but with dignity and grace of carriage.  There must be other bad habits I have not mentioned.’

“‘I am afraid I spit sometimes.’

“’Don’t do that—­it is considered vulgar.  Don’t bristle your tail.  Don’t show your claws except to mice.  Keep such control over yourself as never to be surprised out of a dignified composure of manner.’

“Just here, without the slightest warning, there rushed from the thicket near them a large fierce-looking dog.  Up went Mrs. Velvetpaw’s back in an arch.  Every hair of her body stood on end.  Sharp-pointed claws protruded from each velvet foot, and, hissing and spitting, she tumbled over Furry-Purry in her haste, and scrambled to the topmost branch of the pear-tree.  The little cat followed, imitating her guide in every particular.  As for the dog, which was in pursuit of game, he did not even look at them; and when he was out of sight they came down from the tree, Mrs. Tabitha descending with the dignified composure she had just recommended to her young friend.  She made no allusion to her hurried ascent.

“‘To-morrow night,’ said she, ’as soon as it is dark, meet me in the backyard of the brick house.’

“Half glad and half frightened, Furry-Purry walked by her side the next evening, delighting in the soft green turf of the yard and the sweet-smelling shrubs against which she ventured to rub herself as they passed.  Mrs. Tabitha led her round the house to a piazza draped with clustering vines.