`` Yes . I found him one bitter cold day in winter caught in the branches of a tree by his darn-fool ribbon collar . He was almost starving . Lord , if you could have seen his eyes ! He was nothing but a kitten , and he 'd got his living somehow since he 'd been left till he got hung up . When I loosed him he gave my hand a pitiful swipe with his little red tongue . He was n't the prosperous free-booter you behold now . He was meek as Moses . That was nine years ago . His life has been long in the land for a cat . He 's a good old pal , the Captain is . '' `` I should have expected you to have a dog , '' I said . Abel shook his head . `` I had a dog once . I cared so much for him that when he died I could n't bear the thought of ever getting another in his place . He was a friend -- you understand ? The Captain 's only a pal . I 'm fond of the Captain -- all the fonder because of the spice of deviltry there is in all cats . But I loved my dog . There is n't any devil in a good dog .
That 's why they 're more lovable than cats -- but I 'm darned if they 're XXXXX interesting . ''
as for if in of since that till to with