ertainly not a little amusing. On the
top of a log which we sometimes used as a table, sat the black cat, with
a very demure expression on its countenance; and in front of it, sitting
on the ground, with his legs extended on either side of the log, was
Peterkin. At the moment we saw him he was gazing intently into the cat's
face, with his nose about four inches from it,--his hands being thrust
into his breeches pockets.

"Cat," said Peterkin, turning his head a little on one side, "I love
you!"

There was a pause, as if Peterkin awaited a reply to this affectionate
declaration but the cat said nothing.

"Do you hear me?" cried Peterkin, sharply. "I love you--I do. Don't you
love me?"

To this touching appeal the cat said "Mew," faintly.

"Ah! that's right. You're a jolly old rascal. Why did you not speak at
once? eh?" and Peterkin put forward his mouth and kissed the cat on the
nose!

"Yes," continued Peterkin, after a pause, "I love you. D'you think I'd
say so if I didn't, you black villain? I love you because I've got to
take care of you, and to look after you, and to think about you, and to
see that you don't die--"

"Mew, me-a-w!" said the cat.

"Very good," continued Peterkin, "quite true, I have no doubt; but you've
no right to interrupt me, sir. Hold your tongue till I have done
speaking. Moreover, cat, I love you because you came to me the first
time you ever saw me, and didn't seem to be afraid, and appeared to be
fond of me, though you didn't know that I wasn't going to kill you. Now,
that was brave, that was bold, and very jolly, old boy, and I love you
for it--I do!"

Again there was a pause of a few minutes, during which the cat looked
placid, and Peterkin dropped his eyes upon its toes as if in
contemplation. Suddenly he looked up.

"Well, cat, what are you thinking about now? won't speak? eh? Now, tell
me; don't you think it's a monstrous shame that these two scoundrels,
Jack and Ralph, should keep us waiting for our supper so long?"

Here the cat arose, put up its back and stretched itself; yawned
slightly, and licked the point of Peterkin's nose!

"Just so, old boy, you're a clever fellow,--I really do believe the brute
understands me!" said Peterkin, while a broad grin overspread his face,
as he drew back and surveyed the cat.

At this point Jack burst into a loud fit of laughter. The cat uttered an
angry fuff and fled, while Peterkin sprang up and exclaimed,--

"Bad lu