As soon as I was out of bed Nanny, the cat, followed by her two kittens - the two were never brave enought to drown - slid stealthily into it, and then the kittens to a great sound of contented purring, sucked their mother's milk, pawing at her with soft pads and timy claws while she, stretched out to her full length, eyes deep and golden with pride, watched me dressing.