1. "What," whispers this cat, in blind horror.

Frear's / Via Flickr: boston_public_library
2. "Rats wear clothes?" thinks this cat, suddenly losing her appetite to disappointment.

Jacob Feigel / Via Flickr: boston_public_library
3. "Who would use a cat's unhappiness to sell jewelry?" hisses this cat.

J. P. Tuckerman / Via Flickr: boston_public_library
4. "HELP!" says this cat being swung around by someone with a giant eye.

http://G.M. Hayes / Via Flickr: boston_public_library
5. "Why can't I read like the other cats?" mewls this cat, crying in the corner.

6. "Why does that boy have a knife?" wonders this cat who's about to become stew.

7. "I don't even know how to play cello," this cat muses, throat constricted by an overly tight bow tie.

Ballin & Liebler, Lith. / Via Flickr: boston_public_library
8. "What is happening even?!" yelps this startled cat.

Wm. S. Appleton / Via Flickr: boston_public_library
9. "This spool of thread is terrifying," says this lion with his terrified eyes.

Donaldson Brothers / Via Flickr: boston_public_library
10. "Omg why am I in this shoe?" screams this cat silently.

Kerr & Co. / Via Flickr: boston_public_library
11. "We are cats, so I don't see why I have to do math," thinks this cat who is not as good at math as his brothers.

Bufford / Via Flickr: boston_public_library
12. "Why are you using imagery of bondage to express your love?" asks this cat, who is a proto-feminist.

Forbes Co. / Via Flickr: boston_public_library
13. "This doesn't seem very prudent," whispers this cat into his less-prudent friend's ear.

Auchincloss & Bro. / Via Flickr: boston_public_library
Definitely worried:

Actually kinda chillin':

14. "What were we thinking?" thinks everyone in this scenario.

This cat is clearly full of regret.

:o

All images from the Boston Public Library's incredible Flickr account.