Page:Letters of Life.djvu/43

Rh done milking, I was permitted to fill a cup for my protégée with my own hand, from the creamy udder. Large and fat grew my cat-people, with a lustrous velvet fur, and I exulted in their superiority. They gave heed to my words, for I talked much to them, and at my bidding rose upon their hind legs, taking my beneficent hand gently in their paws, and rubbing their heads lovingly upon it. I took pride in this and a few other accomplishments, arguing fervently in favor of the race, if any denounced it as selfish, fawning, or hypocritical.

One of my great pleasures, at the close of a summer's day, was to amass two piles of fresh green cabbage leaves, which I was myself permitted to break in the garden, and lay at the milking places for the two cows when they should come home from the pasture. I rejoiced to see them hastening toward their expected bonne-bouche, and munching it with a perfect content, while their fragrant revenue rapidly filled the pails.

On one or two occasions I was permitted to walk to their pasture, at the distance of half a mile or more, with our very respectable servant-boy, who went to invite them home for the night. Then and there I first beheld the magnificent lobelia cardinalis. Wandering to a secluded, moist spot of earth, I found it in the full blossom of its queenly beauty. I had never heard mention of such a flower. The thrill of rapture with which I gazed upon it is felt to this day. I had no rest till I