Fritz is a beautiful light-blue grey cat. He is the especial pet of his
master's little daughter, and therefore has many privileges about the
house not usually accorded to cats. Among these special privileges is
that of having his food in the dining-room. Fritz has many
peculiarities, the chief being that he thinks that he is covering up the
food that remains after he has eaten all he wishes, a habit of wild cats
which is well known.
He stands over the plate which contains the remains of his repast and
scratches perfectly imaginary dust or mould over it.
This he does all round the plate, and after a curious look at it to see
that it is all right, and it _is_ covered up, he walks leisurely away.
How strange it is that these traces of a wild state are so often to be
seen in animals which have been domesticated for long generations! Fritz
had no need to cover up his food, even if the dirt or mould were there
for the purpose, for he is sure of getting plenty more when he wants it.
It was simply from the force of habit, a habit not his own, but his
ancestors, that he went through the motions.
What a forcible illustration of the power of habit!
[Illustration: FRITZ COVERING UP HIS FOOD.]