“I much prefer the Spanish or tortoise-shell cat, which is more civilized, of gentler disposition, and not less adept at catching mice. It is in this variety, [[252]]one of the most widely diffused, that the original feline characteristics are the best preserved, that is to say those of the gloved cat of Abyssinia. The Spanish cat has rather short and brightly colored fur, the balls of the feet, the lips, and the nose red, the front of the neck light-colored. Its coat is generally spotted with irregular patches of pure white, black, and bright red. But, singularly enough, the three colors are never found united except in the female; the male is limited to two colors at most, generally white and red.”
“Then every cat with three colors to its fur is a she-cat?” asked Jules.
“So far I have met with no exception to this strange rule.”
“It is very queer, that unequal division of colors—three for the Tabby and only two at most for the Tom-cat. Other animals show nothing of the sort.”
“The Angora cat forms a third variety. It is a magnificent animal, of majestic carriage, with silky and very long hair, especially around the neck, under the stomach, and on the tail. But its qualities do not equal the fineness of its fur. The Angora is the friend of sweet idleness, fond of prolonged siestas in drawing-room arm-chairs. Do not try to make it watch patiently for a mouse in the garret. Pampered by its mistress, assured of its saucer of milk, it finds the business of hunting too arduous. Repose and caresses and a soft bed are its lot. That is all I have to say about this lazy-bones.
“Let us pass on to the cat’s weapons, its teeth [[253]]and claws. In telling you the story of the Auxiliaries I pointed out to you the arrangement of the cat’s teeth, so admirably adapted for coping with live prey. I will refresh your memory on this subject by showing you a sketch of these teeth. How well formed for cutting flesh are those molars, with their sharp points that play one against another like the blades of a pair of scissors! And those canine teeth, so long and sharp—aren’t they veritable daggers for the cat to stab the mouse with? How horribly they must pierce the poor little victim’s body! A mere glance at this set of teeth is enough to assure one that it belongs to a fierce hunter.
Cat’s Scull Showing Teeth
“It is by surprise and stealth that the cat seizes its prey. Hence it must have special foot-gear to render its approach noiseless, to deaden completely the sound of its footsteps. And that reminds me of something. When you were younger, you were told the wonderful exploits of Puss-in-Boots, how Puss caught partridges and offered them to the king, as a gift from the cat’s master, the future Marquis of Carabas.”
“Oh, yes,” cried Emile, “I remember. The artful creature, with a grain of wheat in its paw and the bag open, lay in wait for the partridges in a furrow. What astounding success we credited it with! The [[254]]giddy partridges and innocent quails, and foolish young rabbits ran helter-skelter into the bag. According to us, the game of the entire canton was bagged. One day the cat defied the ogre to take the form of every kind of animal in turn, as he pretended he had the power to do. The stupid ogre hastened to change himself into a lion first, then into a mouse. But in a half a jiffy out shoot the cat’s claws, the mouse is caught, and the ogre is gobbled up. Thenceforth the castle belongs to the miller’s son, who has become the Marquis of Carabas, as true as can be. Then the wedding is celebrated with great magnificence. Isn’t that the way it goes, Uncle?”