Yet here stood the chair, with the old Lincoln coat of arms, and the oaken flowers and foliage, and the fierce lion's head at the summit, the whole, apparently, in as perfect preservation as when it had first been placed in the Earl of Lincoln's hall.

And what vast changes of society and of nations had been wrought by sudden convulsions or by slow degrees since that era! "This Chair had stood firm when the thrones of kings were overturned!" thought Laurence.

"Its oaken frame has proved stronger than many frames of government!" More the thoughtful and imaginative boy might have mused; but now a large yellow cat, a great favorite with all the children, leaped in at the open window.

Perceiving that Grandfather's chair was empty, and having often before experienced its comforts, puss laid herself quietly down upon the cushion.

Laurence, Clara, Charley, and little Alice all laughed at the idea of such a successor to the worthies of old times.
"Pussy," said little Alice, putting out her hand, into which the cat laid a velvet paw, "you look very wise.