As to the tail in that position the easiest 2 would be:
To have it show from character's left so the tip pokes out about the ankle (it is pressed to the side and hidden mostly from view)
To have it poke out from under her and would feed out between the right foot and thigh, or between both feet.
Personally I'd use the first though as you'd have all weight on the tail in the second and that's painful.
Also you can add that to what you have and not have to adjust her stance that much.
As to reading Paris Spleen.... For prose poems like that?? I'd suggest both.

Scanner actually cut off the end of that little bit of text - it finishes with 'Without screwing things up completely' - or words to that effect. I'm pretty sure, like you said, that sitting like she is would put a lot of pressure just there where the tail meets the spine, for lots of ouch. I can see why people chose to leave them off entirely. They're hard to deal with!

Nooo can't lose the tail. :) I do thing going to the side would be easier on her as well as easier to draw... And yeah scanners have a bad habit of cropping things.