It is easy to underestimate a barn cat, and I have always thought Mother is the smartest animal I knew (excepting Rose and Red). We went to the farmhouse to get the barn cats this morning, brought out a dog crate, put it some yards away and then put out some cat food. Both cats approached, Minnie began eating and I grabbed her and put her in the crate, and I returned and reached for Mother, who slid right through my arms and ran up into the pasture, where she watched us and refused to come down. Round One to Mother, and this, of course, is how she survived as a barn cat.

We brought Minnie to the new farm, and will return for another try with Mother this evening. Might take her awhile. She is always walking near me, coming to me, but this afternoon would not come within 25 feet of me. Barn cats, like donkeys, read intentions. She read mine. More later.