"'
"Is she married?" asked the Philosopher.
"Oh, yes," answered the Woman of the World, "and is devoted to her
children. She lets them do everything they don't want to."
THE DEGENERATION OF THOMAS HENRY
The most respectable cat I have ever known was Thomas Henry. His
original name was Thomas, but it seemed absurd to call him that.
The family at Hawarden would as soon think of addressing Mr.
Gladstone as "Bill." He came to us from the Reform Club, via the
butcher, and the moment I saw him I felt that of all the clubs in
London that was the club he must have come from. Its atmosphere of
solid dignity and petrified conservatism seemed to cling to him.
Why he left the club I am unable, at this distance of time, to
remember positively, but I am inclined to think that it came about
owing to a difference with the new chef, an overbearing personage
who wanted all the fire to himself. The butcher, hearing of the
quarrel, and knowing us as a catless family, suggested a way out of
the impasse that was welcomed both by cat and cook. The parting
between them, I believe, was purely formal, and Thomas arrived
prejudiced in our favour.
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