But there is one point on which we cannot find excuse for the Father,
that is, in giving his cats the names of some of the most respected and
venerated saints among the Franciscans; going so far, indeed, as to
bestow upon his finest cat the name of Saint Francis himself, the
founder of the order. It is difficult to conceive of such irreverence in
a priest, himself a member of that great order in the Catholic Church;
and it is this, if anything, which would show a weakness of the mind.
But even here, let us say, not as excuse, but in mitigation of his
offense, that only from inadvertence did the Father speak to, or of, his
cats by these names in any one's hearing; and there were only two or
three people at the mission who knew after what august personages they
were called. Besides, their full title was usually reserved for
occasions of reprimand, and with these well-mannered creatures such
occasions were rare indeed.
"Well," said the Father, beginning his own supper, after having given
the cats each their portion of meat in a large deep plate, flanked by a
saucer brimming full of sweet cream, "aren't you pretty cats to go off
and leave me the whole afternoon? Clara was the only one to keep me
company.
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