His tail was yellow with a gray tip . One ear was black and one yellow . A black patch over one eye gave him a fearfully rakish look . In reality he was meek and inoffensive , of a sociable disposition . In one respect , if in no other , Joseph was like a lily of the field . He toiled not neither did he spin or catch mice . Yet Solomon in all his glory slept not on softer cushions , or feasted more fully on fat things . Joseph and the Sarah-cat arrived by express in separate boxes . After they had been released and fed , Joseph selected the cushion and corner which appealed to him , and the Sarah-cat gravely sat herself down before the fire and proceeded to wash her face . She was a large , sleek , gray-and-white cat , with an enormous dignity which was not at all impaired by any consciousness of her plebian origin . She had been given to Aunt Jamesina by her washerwoman . `` Her name was Sarah , so my husband always called puss the Sarah-cat , '' explained Aunt Jamesina . `` She is eight years old , and a remarkable mouser . Do n't worry , Stella . The Sarah-cat NEVER fights and Joseph rarely . '' `` They 'll have to fight here in self-defense , '' said Stella . At this juncture Rusty arrived on the scene . He bounded joyously half way across the room before he saw the intruders . Then he stopped short ; his tail expanded until it was as big as three tails . The fur on his back rose up in a defiant arch ; Rusty lowered his head , uttered a fearful shriek of hatred and defiance , and launched himself at the Sarah-cat .
The stately animal had stopped washing her face and was looking XXXXX him curiously .
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