The red book of animal stories/'Princess'

‘PRINCESS’

She was not actually a king’s daughter, as far as I know, but she was so evidently high bred, and had such a superior, aristocratic air about her, that the name seemed perfectly appropriate.

There could be no question as to her high descent and pure blood. It was apparent in every one of her graceful movements, in the exquisite softness and delicacy of her grey coat, the thickness and fluffiness of the ruff she wore round her neck, and the size and bushiness of her superb tail. In a word Princess was a pure-bred Persian cat, and her happy owners, Mrs. and Miss H., took great pride in her possession, and much pleasure in her society.

Indeed, they declared that her understanding was quite beyond that of ordinary animals, and that she quite understood much of their conversation.

One day Miss H. went out to make some calls, and on her return sat down to tell her mother all about her visits. Princess jumped into her lap, and curled herself up cosily, as if to listen to her adventures.

Presently, Miss H. said: ‘You have no idea, mother, what a magnificent cat Mrs. Taylor has. It is immensely big, and has one of the most splendid tails I ever saw.’

In a moment, Princess rose, sprang from Miss H.’s lap, and walked to the door, demanding to be let out. It was clearly not for her to stay and hear one of her own mistresses praising the charms of a horrid rival.

Mrs. and Miss H. made acquaintance with a lady whom we will call Miss Gray, and to Miss Gray Princess took a curiously strong fancy at first sight. If Miss Gray happened to be calling at the house, and Princess chanced to see her parasol or umbrella in the hall, she would hurry off with every sign of delight in search of her dear friend. If several people were in the room, Miss H. would sometimes say, ‘Where is Miss

‘PRINCESS’ AND THE INVALID

Gray, Princess?’ and the cat would turn her head towards the lady and go up at once to rub against her.

‘Do you love me very much, Princess?’ asked Miss Gray, once. Princess replied by looking up affectionately at her, and uttering a most tender ‘miau.’

One sad day, Mrs. H. fell ill, and had to take to her bed. She grew worse, and her poor daughter was very unhappy indeed about her. Princess appeared quite to understand, and to enter into all the trouble and anxiety, and went about sad and drooping. The doctor was very anxious that his patient, who was extremely weak, should take plenty of nourishing food; but nothing seemed to tempt her fancy.

One thing after another was tried—soup, jelly, game—all of no use. The invalid declared she could touch none of them, and poor Miss H. felt in despair.

One morning, as she was sitting by her mother’s bedside, and trying to coax her to eat something, the door, which was slightly ajar, was pushed open, and Princess ran in quite gaily. She jumped on the bed, and, with an important air, laid down on her mistress’s coverlet a bird she had caught and brought her.

Both Mrs. and Miss H. declared afterwards that they were sure Princess thought she had found the very thing with which to tempt a sick appetite.