Calvin smiled tightly at the footman's suggestion. He meant it kindly, Calvin knew. And he certainly wasn't wrong by any stretch -- it would be much easier to deal with the master's cat if he could bring himself to like it. But how was he to like what he didn't even trust? The concept of owning an animal as a pet was still mystifying to him on by itself, but owning a cat was even more unreasonable.
"It's difficult to like what you don't trust," he said evenly, by way of explanation. "Although I am trying. I just..." he shook his head lightly. "It's a very puzzling cultural practice, owning a cat. It makes... very little sense to us. To... me."