The cat has finally forgiven me for my terrible “faux paw” this morning.

I had taken the viola out of its dusty case and played a few scratchy scales. The cat stared at me first in disbelief, then pain, then horror, then anger, as her pupils widened and she slunk away to the furthest corner of the room. I put the instrument away, which did not assuage her fury.

Upon inquiry, she declared that I had assaulted her delicate triangular ears with this monstrosity, and would not speak to me further for two hours.

She relented after a nap and is now nestled on my lap.