Mother and Son by Ivy Compton-Burnett Read Free Book Online Page A

had gained her the name. The emotions of her deep, eager eyes were under her control. Her clothes were as successful and costly as she could contrive.
    â€œNo, you are not hungry, Plautus. You need not show that wistful face.”
    â€œHe has not finished his saucer of milk,” said Miss Burke, who had supplied him in this manner when he crossed her path.
    â€œHe does not drink much milk,” said Hester, disturbing her ideas. “But he knows there is fish for breakfast; so he does, the wise, wise man.”
    Plautus walked to the table and stood with his face raised towards it.
    â€œSo he heard what you said,” said Emma, in a generous tone.
    Miss Burke hardly felt she could deny it.
    â€œYes, you heard it indeed,” said Hester, speaking with her eyes on the cat. “You do not let a word of mine escape you.”
    â€œOne has to be quite careful what one says,” said Emma, suggesting the scope of Plautus’s attention.
    Miss Burke, with an idea of establishing her position, offered Plautus a piece of fish.
    â€œNo, no, dear,” said Emma, leaning forward. “You will spoil his manners.”
    Miss Burke looked up in question.
    â€œHis beautiful manners,” said Hester, bringing her no enlightenment. “Must not eat at meals.”
    â€œWhen does he eat?” said Miss Burke.
    â€œYou did not know that Plautus had manners, did you dear?” said Emma, in sympathy. “You don’t understand a cat’s code.”
    Miss Burke rose to remove the fish.
    â€œLet me help you, dear,” said Emma, earnestly, leaning back in her chair.
    Miss Burke carried the dish from the room, and Plautus, following the code referred to, unobtrusively followed her. Both ladies looked at her as she returned.
    â€œDid you give him any fish?” said Hester.
    â€œYes, a great, big piece,” said Miss Burke, with a sense of catching the authentic note. “And he ate it all up; so he did, the understanding man.”
    There was a pause that made her feel she had overreached.
    â€œHe will think you are making advances to him,” said Emma, in a neutral tone.
    â€œHe is not a cupboard lover,” said Hester. “He does not respond to bribes. Only real love for Plautus.”
    â€œHe will never get as fond of me as he is of you,” said Miss Burke, incautiously answering the thought behind the words.
    â€œPlautus is fond of two people and no more. He does not dissipate his feeling. He will not welcome titbits from any hand but ours.”
    Plautus returned to the room, paused for a moment by Miss Burke and proceeded to the fire.
    â€œAh, he is an actor,” said Hester. “He pretends he is like other cats, but he does not deceive us.”
    â€œHe deceived me,” said Miss Burke. “I do not see any difference.”
    â€œOh, naughty Plautus to deceive! Yes, you know you were doing it.”
    â€œWell, Plautus, will you come with me to the kitchen? We shall soon understand each other, though you need more study than I thought.”
    Plautus rose, looked earnestly at Miss Burke’s tray, and again accompanied her.
    â€œHe is a greedy puss,” said Emma, as though not repudiating truth.
    â€œHe is too kind to make differences between people,” said Hester. “But he knows them in his heart.”
    â€œNow, Plautus, keep out of my way,” said Miss Burke, as she reached the kitchen. “I don’t want you round my legs while I am at work.”
    Plautus approached and rubbed himself against the limbs in question.
    â€œYou understand nothing. You have no thoughts andno feelings. You are interested only in yourself, and you give me the shudders. You can remember it.”
    Plautus raised his face towards her.
    â€œYou will get nothing more until you have finished your milk. I don’t like wastefulness, and I will not have it in a cat. Milk is your food, unless you are a wild beast. That is the truth about