第1章

CONTENTS

THESHE-WOLF

LAURA

THEBOAR-PIG

THEBROGUE

THEHEN

THEOPENWINDOW

THETREASURE-SHIP

THECOBWEB

THELULL

THEUNKINDESTBLOW

THEROMANCERS

THESCHARTZ-METTERKLUMEMETHOD

THESEVENTHPULLET

THEBLINDSPOT

DUSK

ATOUCHOFREALISM

COUSINTERESA

THEYARKANDMANNER

THEBYZANTINEOMELETTE

THEFEASTOFNEMESIS

THEDREAMER

THEQUINCETREE

THEFORBIDDENBUZZARDS

THESTAKE

CLOVISONPARENTALRESPONSIBILITIES

AHOLIDAYTASK

THESTALLEDOX

THESTORY-TELLER

ADEFENSIVEDIAMOND

THEELK

"DOWNPENS"

THENAME-DAY

THELUMBERROOM

FUR

THEPHILANTHROPISTANDTHEHAPPYCAT

ONAPPROVAL

BeastsandSuper-BeastsTHESHE-WOLF

LEONARDBILSITERwasoneofthosepeoplewhohavefailedtofindthisworldattractiveorinteresting，andwhohavesoughtcompensationinan"unseenworld"oftheirownexperienceorimagination-orinvention。

Childrendothatsortofthingsuccessfully，butchildrenarecontenttoconvincethemselves，anddonotvulgarisetheirbeliefsbytryingtoconvinceotherpeople。

LeonardBilsiter\'sbeliefswerefor"thefew，"thatistosay，anyonewhowouldlistentohim。

Hisdabblingsintheunseenmightnothavecarriedhimbeyondthecustomaryplatitudesofthedrawing-roomvisionaryifaccidenthadnotreinforcedhisstock-in-

tradeofmysticallore。Incompanywithafriend，whowasinterestedinaUralminingconcern，hehadmadeatripacrossEasternEuropeatamomentwhenthegreatRussianrailwaystrikewasdevelopingfromathreattoareality；itsoutbreakcaughthimonthereturnjourney，somewhereonthefurthersideofPerm，anditwaswhilewaitingforacoupleofdaysatawaysidestationinastateofsuspendedlocomotionthathemadetheacquaintanceofadealerinharnessandmetalware，whoprofitablywhiledawaythetediumofthelonghaltbyinitiatinghisEnglishtravellingcompanioninafragmentarysystemoffolk-lorethathehadpickedupfromTrans-Baikaltradersandnatives。LeonardreturnedtohishomecirclegarrulousabouthisRussianstrikeexperiences，butoppressivelyreticentaboutcertaindarkmysteries，whichhealludedtoundertheresoundingtitleofSiberianMagic。Thereticenceworeoffinaweekortwoundertheinfluenceofanentirelackofgeneralcuriosity，andLeonardbegantomakemoredetailedallusionstotheenormouspowerswhichthisnewesotericforce，tousehisowndescriptionofit，conferredontheinitiatedfewwhoknewhowtowieldit。Hisaunt，CeciliaHoops，wholovedsensationperhapsratherbetterthanshelovedthetruth，gavehimasclamorousanadvertisementasanyonecouldwishforbyretailinganaccountofhowhehadturnedavegetablemarrowintoawoodpigeonbeforeherveryeyes。Asamanifestationofthepossessionofsupernaturalpowers，thestorywasdiscountedinsomequartersbytherespectaccordedtoMrs。Hoops\'powersofimagination。

HoweverdividedopinionmightbeonthequestionofLeonard\'sstatusasawonderworkeroracharlatan，hecertainlyarrivedatMaryHampton\'shouse-partywithareputationforpre-eminenceinoneorotherofthoseprofessions，andhewasnotdisposedtoshunsuchpublicityasmightfalltohisshare。Esotericforcesandunusualpowersfiguredlargelyinwhateverconversationheorhisaunthadasharein，andhisownperformances，pastandpotential，werethesubjectofmysterioushintsanddarkavowals。

"Iwishyouwouldturnmeintoawolf，Mr。

Bilsiter，"saidhishostessatluncheonthedayafterhisarrival。

"MydearMary，"saidColonelHampton，"Ineverknewyouhadacravinginthatdirection。"

"Ashe-wolf，ofcourse，"continuedMrs。Hampton；itwouldbetooconfusingtochangeone\'ssexaswellasone\'sspeciesatamoment\'snotice。"

"Idon\'tthinkoneshouldjestonthesesubjects，"

saidLeonard。

"I\'mnotjesting，I\'mquiteserious，Iassureyou。

Onlydon\'tdoitto-day；wehaveonlyeightavailablebridgeplayers，anditwouldbreakuponeofourtables。

To-morrowweshallbealargerparty。To-morrownight，afterdinner-"

"InourpresentimperfectunderstandingofthesehiddenforcesIthinkoneshouldapproachthemwithhumblenessratherthanmockery，"observedLeonard，withsuchseveritythatthesubjectwasforthwithdropped。

ClovisSangrailhadsatunusuallysilentduringthediscussiononthepossibilitiesofSiberianMagic；afterlunchheside-trackedLordPabhamintothecomparativeseclusionofthebilliard-roomanddeliveredhimselfofasearchingquestion。

"Haveyousuchathingasashe-wolfinyourcollectionofwildanimals？Ashe-wolfofmoderatelygoodtemper？"

LordPabhamconsidered。"ThereisLoiusa，"hesaid，"aratherfinespecimenofthetimber-wolf。IgothertwoyearsagoinexchangeforsomeArcticfoxes。Mostofmyanimalsgettobefairlytamebeforethey\'vebeenwithmeverylong；IthinkIcansayLouisahasanangelictemper，asshe-wolvesgo。Whydoyouask？"

"Iwaswonderingwhetheryouwouldlendhertomeforto-morrownight，"saidClovis，withthecarelesssolicitudeofonewhoborrowsacollarstudoratennisracquet。

"To-morrownight？"

"Yes，wolvesarenocturnalanimals，sothelatehourswon\'thurther，"saidClovis，withtheairofonewhohastakeneverythingintoconsideration；"oneofyourmencouldbringheroverfromPabhamParkafterdusk，andwithalittlehelpheoughttobeabletosmuggleherintotheconservatoryatthesamemomentthatMaryHamptonmakesanunobtrusiveexit。"

LordPabhamstaredatClovisforamomentinpardonablebewilderment；thenhisfacebrokeintoawrinklednetworkoflaughter。

"Oh，that\'syourgame，isit？YouaregoingtodoalittleSiberianMagiconyourownaccount。AndisMrs。

Hamptonwillingtobeafellow-conspirator？"

"Maryispledgedtoseemethroughwithit，ifyouwillguaranteeLouisa\'stemper。"

"I\'llanswerforLouisa，"saidLordPabham。

Bythefollowingdaythehouse-partyhadswollentolargerproportions，andBilsiter\'sinstinctforself-

advertisementexpandeddulyunderthestimulantofanincreasedaudience。Atdinnerthateveningheheldforthatlengthonthesubjectofunseenforcesanduntestedpowers，andhisflowofimpressiveeloquencecontinuedunabatedwhilecoffeewasbeingservedinthedrawing-

roompreparatorytoageneralmigrationtothecard-room。

Hisauntensuredarespectfulhearingforhisutterances，buthersensation-lovingsoulhankeredaftersomethingmoredramaticthanmerevocaldemonstration。

"Won\'tyoudosomethingtoCONVINCEthemofyourpowers，Leonard？"shepleaded；"changesomethingintoanothershape。Hecan，youknow，ifheonlychoosesto，"

sheinformedthecompany。

"Oh，do，"saidMavisPellingtonearnestly，andherrequestwasechoedbynearlyeveryonepresent。Eventhosewhowerenotopentoconvictionwereperfectlywillingtobeentertainedbyanexhibitionofamateurconjuring。

Leonardfeltthatsomethingtangiblewasexpectedofhim。

"Hasanyonepresent，"heasked，"gotathree-pennybitorsomesmallobjectofnoparticularvalue-？"

"You\'resurelynotgoingtomakecoinsdisappear，orsomethingprimitiveofthatsort？"saidCloviscontemptuously。

"Ithinkitveryunkindofyounottocarryoutmysuggestionofturningmeintoawolf，"saidMaryHampton，asshecrossedovertotheconservatorytogivehermacawstheirusualtributefromthedessertdishes。

"Ihavealreadywarnedyouofthedangeroftreatingthesepowersinamockingspirit，"saidLeonardsolemnly。

"Idon\'tbelieveyoucandoit，"laughedMaryprovocativelyfromtheconservatory；"Idareyoutodoitifyoucan。Idefyyoutoturnmeintoawolf。"

Asshesaidthisshewaslosttoviewbehindaclumpofazaleas。

"Mrs。Hampton-"beganLeonardwithincreasedsolemnity，buthegotnofurther。Abreathofchillairseemedtorushacrosstheroom，andatthesametimethemacawsbrokeforthintoear-splittingscreams。

"Whatonearthisthematterwiththoseconfoundedbirds，Mary？"exclaimedColonelHampton；atthesamemomentanevenmorepiercingscreamfromMavisPellingtonstampededtheentirecompanyfromtheirseats。Invariousattitudesofhelplesshorrororinstinctivedefencetheyconfrontedtheevil-lookinggreybeastthatwaspeeringatthemfromamidasettingoffernandazalea。

Mrs。Hoopswasthefirsttorecoverfromthegeneralchaosoffrightandbewilderment。

"Leonard！"shescreamedshrillytohernephew，"turnitbackintoMrs。Hamptonatonce！Itmayflyatusatanymoment。Turnitback！"

"I-Idon\'tknowhowto，"falteredLeonard，wholookedmorescaredandhorrifiedthananyone。

"What！"shoutedColonelHampton，"you\'vetakentheabominablelibertyofturningmywifeintoawolf，andnowyoustandtherecalmlyandsayyoucan\'tturnherbackagain！"

TodostrictjusticetoLeonard，calmnesswasnotadistinguishingfeatureofhisattitudeatthemoment。

"IassureyouIdidn\'tturnMrs。Hamptonintoawolf；nothingwasfartherfrommyintentions，"heprotested。

"Thenwhereisshe，andhowcamethatanimalintotheconservatory？"demandedtheColonel。

"Ofcoursewemustacceptyourassurancethatyoudidn\'tturnMrs。Hamptonintoawolf，"saidClovispolitely，"butyouwillagreethatappearancesareagainstyou。"

"Arewetohavealltheserecriminationswiththatbeaststandingtherereadytotearustopieces？"wailedMavisindignantly。

"LordPabham，youknowagooddealaboutwildbeasts-"suggestedColonelHampton。

"ThewildbeaststhatIhavebeenaccustomedto，"

saidLordPabham，"havecomewithpropercredentialsfromwell-knowndealers，orhavebeenbredinmyownmenagerie。I\'veneverbeforebeenconfrontedwithananimalthatwalksunconcernedlyoutofanazaleabush，leavingacharmingandpopularhostessunaccountedfor。

AsfarasonecanjudgefromOUTWARDcharacteristics，"hecontinued，"ithastheappearanceofawell-grownfemaleoftheNorthAmericantimber-wolf，avarietyofthecommonspeciesCANISLUPUS。"

"Oh，neverminditsLatinname，"screamedMavis，asthebeastcameasteportwofurtherintotheroom；

"can\'tyouenticeitawaywithfood，andshutitupwhereitcan\'tdoanyharm？"

"IfitisreallyMrs。Hampton，whohasjusthadaverygooddinner，Idon\'tsupposefoodwillappealtoitverystrongly，"saidClovis。

"Leonard，"beseechedMrs。Hoopstearfully，"evenifthisisnoneofyourdoingcan\'tyouuseyourgreatpowerstoturnthisdreadfulbeastintosomethingharmlessbeforeitbitesusall-arabbitorsomething？"

"Idon\'tsupposeColonelHamptonwouldcaretohavehiswifeturnedintoasuccessionoffancyanimalsasthoughwewereplayingaroundgamewithher，"interposedClovis。

"Iabsolutelyforbidit，"thunderedtheColonel。

"MostwolvesthatI\'vehadanythingtodowithhavebeeninordinatelyfondofsugar，"saidLordPabham；"ifyoulikeI\'lltrytheeffectonthisone。"

HetookapieceofsugarfromthesaucerofhiscoffeecupandflungittotheexpectantLouisa，whosnappeditinmid-air。Therewasasighofrelieffromthecompany；awolfthatatesugarwhenitmightattheleasthavebeenemployedintearingmacawstopieceshadalreadyshedsomeofitsterrors。Thesighdeepenedtoagaspofthanks-givingwhenLordPabhamdecoyedtheanimaloutoftheroombyapretendedlargesseoffurthersugar。

Therewasaninstantrushtothevacatedconservatory。

TherewasnotraceofMrs。Hamptonexcepttheplatecontainingthemacaws\'supper。

"Thedoorislockedontheinside！"exclaimedClovis，whohaddeftlyturnedthekeyasheaffectedtotestit。

EveryoneturnedtowardsBilsiter。

"Ifyouhaven\'tturnedmywifeintoawolf，"saidColonelHampton，"willyoukindlyexplainwhereshehasdisappearedto，sincesheobviouslycouldnothavegonethroughalockeddoor？IwillnotpressyouforanexplanationofhowaNorthAmericantimber-wolfsuddenlyappearedintheconservatory，butIthinkIhavesomerighttoinquirewhathasbecomeofMrs。Hampton。"

Bilsiter\'sreiterateddisclaimerwasmetwithageneralmurmurofimpatientdisbelief。

"Irefusetostayanotherhourunderthisroof，"

declaredMavisPellington。

"Ifourhostesshasreallyvanishedoutofhumanform，"saidMrs。Hoops，"noneoftheladiesofthepartycanverywellremain。Iabsolutelydeclinetobechaperonedbyawolf！"

"It\'sashe-wolf，"saidClovissoothingly。

Thecorrectetiquettetobeobservedundertheunusualcircumstancesreceivednofurtherelucidation。

ThesuddenentryofMaryHamptondeprivedthediscussionofitsimmediateinterest。

"Someonehasmesmerisedme，"sheexclaimedcrossly；

"Ifoundmyselfinthegamelarder，ofallplaces，beingfedwithsugarbyLordPabham。Ihatebeingmesmerised，andthedoctorhasforbiddenmetotouchsugar。"

Thesituationwasexplainedtoher，asfarasitpermittedofanythingthatcouldbecalledexplanation。

"ThenyouREALLYdidturnmeintoawolf，Mr。

Bilsiter？"sheexclaimedexcitedly。

ButLeonardhadburnedtheboatinwhichhemightnowhaveembarkedonaseaofglory。Hecouldonlyshakehisheadfeebly。

"ItwasIwhotookthatliberty，"saidClovis；"yousee，IhappentohavelivedforacoupleofyearsinNorth-EasternRussia，andIhavemorethanatourist\'sacquaintancewiththemagiccraftofthatregion。Onedoesnotcaretospeakaboutthesestrangepowers，butonceinaway，whenonehearsalotofnonsensebeingtalkedaboutthem，oneistemptedtoshowwhatSiberianmagiccanaccomplishinthehandsofsomeonewhoreallyunderstandsit。Iyieldedtothattemptation。MayI

havesomebrandy？theefforthasleftmeratherfaint。"

IfLeonardBilsitercouldatthatmomenthavetransformedClovisintoacockroachandthenhavesteppedonhimhewouldgladlyhaveperformedbothoperations。

LAURA

"YOUarenotreallydying，areyou？"askedAmanda。

"Ihavethedoctor\'spermissiontolivetillTuesday，"saidLaura。

"Butto-dayisSaturday；thisisserious！"gaspedAmanda。

"Idon\'tknowaboutitbeingserious；itiscertainlySaturday，"saidLaura。

"Deathisalwaysserious，"saidAmanda。

"IneversaidIwasgoingtodie。IampresumablygoingtoleaveoffbeingLaura，butIshallgoonbeingsomething。Ananimalofsomekind，Isuppose。Yousee，whenonehasn\'tbeenverygoodinthelifeonehasjustlived，onereincarnatesinsomelowerorganism。AndI

haven\'tbeenverygood，whenonecomestothinkofit。

I\'vebeenpettyandmeanandvindictiveandallthatsortofthingwhencircumstanceshaveseemedtowarrantit。"

"Circumstancesneverwarrantthatsortofthing，"

saidAmandahastily。

"Ifyoudon\'tmindmysayingso，"observedLaura，"Egbertisacircumstancethatwouldwarrantanyamountofthatsortofthing。You\'remarriedtohim-that\'sdifferent；you\'vesworntolove，honour，andendurehim：

Ihaven\'t。"

"Idon\'tseewhat\'swrongwithEgbert，"protestedAmanda。

"Oh，Idaresaythewrongnesshasbeenonmypart，"

admittedLauradispassionately；"hehasmerelybeentheextenuatingcircumstance。Hemadeathin，peevishkindoffuss，forinstance，whenItookthecolliepuppiesfromthefarmoutforaruntheotherday。"

"TheychasedhisyoungbroodsofspeckledSussexanddrovetwosittinghensofftheirnests，besidesrunningallovertheflowerbeds。Youknowhowdevotedheistohispoultryandgarden。"

"Anyhow，heneedn\'thavegoneonaboutitfortheentireeveningandthenhavesaid，`Let\'ssaynomoreaboutit\'justwhenIwasbeginningtoenjoythediscussion。That\'swhereoneofmypettyvindictiverevengescamein，"addedLaurawithanunrepentantchuckle；"IturnedtheentirefamilyofspeckledSussexintohisseedlingshedthedayafterthepuppyepisode。"

"Howcouldyou？"exclaimedAmanda。

"Itcamequiteeasy，"saidLaura；"twoofthehenspretendedtobelayingatthetime，butIwasfirm。"

"Andwethoughtitwasanaccident！"

"Yousee，"resumedLaura，"IreallyHAVEsomegroundsforsupposingthatmynextincarnationwillbeinalowerorganism。Ishallbeananimalofsomekind。Ontheotherhand，Ihaven\'tbeenabadsortinmyway，soI

thinkImaycountonbeinganiceanimal，somethingelegantandlively，withaloveoffun。Anotter，perhaps。"

"Ican\'timagineyouasanotter，"saidAmanda。

"Well，Idon\'tsupposeyoucanimaginemeasanangel，ifitcomestothat，"saidLaura。

Amandawassilent。Shecouldn\'t。

"PersonallyIthinkanotterlifewouldberatherenjoyable，"continuedLaura；"salmontoeatalltheyearround，andthesatisfactionofbeingabletofetchthetroutintheirownhomeswithouthavingtowaitforhourstilltheycondescendtorisetotheflyyou\'vebeendanglingbeforethem；andanelegantsveltefigure-"

"Thinkoftheotterhounds，"interposedAmanda；"howdreadfultobehuntedandharriedandfinallyworriedtodeath！"

"Ratherfunwithhalftheneighbourhoodlookingon，andanyhownotworsethanthisSaturday-to-Tuesdaybusinessofdyingbyinches；andthenIshouldgoonintosomethingelse。IfIhadbeenamoderatelygoodotterI

supposeIshouldgetbackintohumanshapeofsomesort；

probablysomethingratherprimitive-alittlebrown，unclothedNubianboy，Ishouldthink。"

"Iwishyouwouldbeserious，"sighedAmanda；"youreallyoughttobeifyou\'reonlygoingtolivetillTuesday。"

AsamatteroffactLauradiedonMonday。

"Sodreadfullyupsetting，"Amandacomplainedtoheruncle-in-law，SirLulworthQuayne。"I\'veaskedquitealotofpeopledownforgolfandfishing，andtherhododendronsarejustlookingtheirbest。"

"Lauraalwayswasinconsiderate，"saidSirLulworth；

"shewasbornduringGoodwoodweek，withanAmbassadorstayinginthehousewhohatedbabies。"

"Shehadthemaddestkindofideas，"saidAmanda；

"doyouknowiftherewasanyinsanityinherfamily？"

"Insanity？No，Ineverheardofany。HerfatherlivesinWestKensington，butIbelievehe\'ssaneonallothersubjects。"

"Shehadanideathatshewasgoingtobereincarnatedasanotter，"saidAmanda。

"Onemeetswiththoseideasofreincarnationsofrequently，evenintheWest，"saidSirLulworth，"thatonecanhardlysetthemdownasbeingmad。AndLaurawassuchanunaccountablepersoninthislifethatIshouldnotliketolaydowndefiniterulesastowhatshemightbedoinginanafterstate。"

"Youthinkshereallymighthavepassedintosomeanimalform？"askedAmanda。Shewasoneofthosewhoshapetheiropinionsratherreadilyfromthestandpointofthosearoundthem。

JustthenEgbertenteredthebreakfast-room，wearinganairofbereavementthatLaura\'sdemisewouldhavebeeninsufficient，initself，toaccountfor。

"FourofmyspeckledSussexhavebeenkilled，"heexclaimed；"theveryfourthatweretogototheshowonFriday。OneofthemwasdraggedawayandeatenrightinthemiddleofthatnewcarnationbedthatI\'vebeentosuchtroubleandexpenseover。Mybestflowerbedandmybestfowlssingledoutfordestruction；italmostseemsasifthebrutethatdidthedeedhadspecialknowledgehowtobeasdevastatingaspossibleinashortspaceoftime。"

"Wasitafox，doyouthink？"askedAmanda。

"Soundsmorelikeapolecat，"saidSirLulworth。

"No，"saidEgbert，"thereweremarksofwebbedfeetallovertheplace，andwefollowedthetracksdowntothestreamatthebottomofthegarden；evidentlyanotter。"

AmandalookedquicklyandfurtivelyacrossatSirLulworth。

Egbertwastooagitatedtoeatanybreakfast，andwentouttosuperintendthestrengtheningofthepoultryyarddefences。

"Ithinkshemightatleasthavewaitedtillthefuneralwasover，"saidAmandainascandalisedvoice。

"It\'sherownfuneral，youknow，"saidSirLulworth；

"it\'sanicepointinetiquettehowfaroneoughttoshowrespecttoone\'sownmortalremains。"

Disregardformortuaryconventionwascarriedtofurtherlengthsnextday；duringtheabsenceofthefamilyatthefuneralceremonytheremainingsurvivorsofthespeckledSussexweremassacred。Themarauder\'slineofretreatseemedtohaveembracedmostoftheflowerbedsonthelawn，butthestrawberrybedsinthelowergardenhadalsosuffered。

"Ishallgettheotterhoundstocomehereattheearliestpossiblemoment，"saidEgbertsavagely。

"Onnoaccount！Youcan\'tdreamofsuchathing！"

exclaimedAmanda。"Imean，itwouldn\'tdo，sosoonafterafuneralinthehouse。"

"It\'sacaseofnecessity，"saidEgbert；"onceanottertakestothatsortofthingitwon\'tstop。"

"Perhapsitwillgoelsewherenowtherearenomorefowlsleft，"suggestedAmanda。

"Onewouldthinkyouwantedtoshieldthebeast，"

saidEgbert。

"There\'sbeensolittlewaterinthestreamlately，"

objectedAmanda；"itseemshardlysportingtohuntananimalwhenithassolittlechanceoftakingrefugeanywhere。"

"Goodgracious！"fumedEgbert，"I\'mnotthinkingaboutsport。Iwanttohavetheanimalkilledassoonaspossible。"

EvenAmanda\'soppositionweakenedwhen，duringchurchtimeonthefollowingSunday，theottermadeitswayintothehouse，raidedhalfasalmonfromthelarderandworrieditintoscalyfragmentsonthePersianruginEgbert\'sstudio。

"Weshallhaveithidingunderourbedsandbitingpiecesoutofourfeetbeforelong，"saidEgbert，andfromwhatAmandaknewofthisparticularottershefeltthatthepossibilitywasnotaremoteone。

OntheeveningprecedingthedayfixedforthehuntAmandaspentasolitaryhourwalkingbythebanksofthestream，makingwhatsheimaginedtobehoundnoises。Itwascharitablysupposedbythosewhooverheardherperformance，thatshewaspractisingforfarmyardimitationsattheforth-comingvillageentertainment。

Itwasherfriendandneighbour，AuroraBurret，whobroughthernewsoftheday\'ssport。

"Pityyouweren\'tout；wehadquiteagoodday。Wefoundatonce，inthepooljustbelowyourgarden。"

"Didyou-kill？"askedAmanda。

"Rather。Afineshe-otter。Yourhusbandgotratherbadlybittenintryingto\'tailit。\'Poorbeast，Ifeltquitesorryforit，ithadsuchahumanlookinitseyeswhenitwaskilled。You\'llcallmesilly，butdoyouknowwhothelookremindedmeof？Mydearwoman，whatisthematter？"

WhenAmandahadrecoveredtoacertainextentfromherattackofnervousprostrationEgberttookhertotheNileValleytorecuperate。Changeofscenespeedilybroughtaboutthedesiredrecoveryofhealthandmentalbalance。Theescapadesofanadventurousotterinsearchofavariationofdietwereviewedintheirproperlight。

Amanda\'snormallyplacidtemperamentreasserteditself。

Evenahurricaneofshoutedcurses，comingfromherhusband\'sdressing-room，inherhusband\'svoice，buthardlyinhisusualvocabulary，failedtodisturbherserenityasshemadealeisurelytoiletoneeveninginaCairohotel。

"Whatisthematter？Whathashappened？"sheaskedinamusedcuriosity。

"Thelittlebeasthasthrownallmycleanshirtsintothebath！WaittillIcatchyou，youlittle-"

"Whatlittlebeast？"askedAmanda，suppressingadesiretolaugh；Egbert\'slanguagewassohopelesslyinadequatetoexpresshisoutragedfeelings。

"AlittlebeastofanakedbrownNubianboy，"

splutteredEgbert。

AndnowAmandaisseriouslyill。

THEBOAR-PIG

"THEREisabackwayontothelawn，"saidMrs。

PhilidoreStossentoherdaughter，"throughasmallgrasspaddockandthenthroughawalledfruitgardenfullofgooseberrybushes。Iwentallovertheplacelastyearwhenthefamilywereaway。Thereisadoorthatopensfromthefruitgardenintoashrubbery，andonceweemergefromtherewecanminglewiththeguestsasifwehadcomeinbytheordinaryway。It\'smuchsaferthangoinginbythefrontentranceandrunningtheriskofcomingbangupagainstthehostess；thatwouldbesoawkwardwhenshedoesn\'thappentohaveinvitedus。"

"Isn\'titalotoftroubletotakeforgettingadmittancetoagardenparty？"

"Toagardenparty，yes；toTHEgardenpartyoftheseason，certainlynot。Everyoneofanyconsequenceinthecounty，withtheexceptionofourselves，hasbeenaskedtomeetthePrincess，anditwouldbefarmoretroublesometoinventexplanationsastowhyweweren\'ttherethantogetinbyaroundaboutway。IstoppedMrs。

CuveringintheroadyesterdayandtalkedverypointedlyaboutthePrincess。Ifshedidn\'tchoosetotakethehintandsendmeaninvitationit\'snotmyfault，isit？

Hereweare：wejustcutacrossthegrassandthroughthatlittlegateintothegarden。"

Mrs。Stossenandherdaughter，suitablyarrayedforacountygardenpartyfunctionwithaninfusionofAlmanackdeGotha，sailedthroughthenarrowgrasspaddockandtheensuinggooseberrygardenwiththeairofstatebargesmakinganunofficialprogressalongaruraltroutstream。Therewasacertainamountoffurtivehastemingledwiththestatelinessoftheiradvance，asthoughhostilesearch-lightsmightbeturnedonthematanymoment；and，asamatteroffact，theywerenotunobserved。MatildaCuvering，withthealerteyesofthirteenyearsoldandtheaddedadvantageofanexaltedpositioninthebranchesofamedlartree，hadenjoyedagoodviewoftheStossenflankingmovementandhadforeseenexactlywhereitwouldbreakdowninexecution。

"They\'llfindthedoorlocked，andthey\'lljollywellhavetogobackthewaytheycame，"sheremarkedtoherself。"Servesthemrightfornotcominginbytheproperentrance。WhatapityTarquinSuperbusisn\'tlooseinthepaddock。Afterall，aseveryoneelseisenjoyingthemselves，Idon\'tseewhyTarquinshouldn\'thaveanafternoonout。"

Matildawasofanagewhenthoughtisaction；shesliddownfromthebranchesofthemedlartree，andwhensheclamberedbackagainTarquin，thehugewhiteYorkshireboar-pig，hadexchangedthenarrowlimitsofhisstyeforthewiderrangeofthegrasspaddock。ThediscomfitedStossenexpedition，returninginrecriminatorybutotherwiseorderlyretreatfromtheunyieldingobstacleofthelockeddoor，cametoasuddenhaltatthegatedividingthepaddockfromthegooseberrygarden。

"Whatavillainous-lookinganimal，"exclaimedMrs。

Stossen；"itwasn\'ttherewhenwecamein。"

"It\'stherenow，anyhow，"saidherdaughter。"Whatoneartharewetodo？Iwishwehadnevercome。"

Theboar-pighaddrawnnearertothegateforacloserinspectionofthehumanintruders，andstoodchampinghisjawsandblinkinghissmallredeyesinamannerthatwasdoubtlessintendedtobedisconcerting，and，asfarastheStossenswereconcerned，thoroughlyachievedthatresult。

"Shoo！Hish！Hish！Shoo！"criedtheladiesinchorus。

"Iftheythinkthey\'regoingtodrivehimawaybyrecitinglistsofthekingsofIsraelandJudahthey\'relayingthemselvesoutfordisappointment，"observedMatildafromherseatinthemedlartree。AsshemadetheobservationaloudMrs。Stossenbecameforthefirsttimeawareofherpresence。Amomentortwoearliershewouldhavebeenanythingbutpleasedatthediscoverythatthegardenwasnotasdesertedasitlooked，butnowshehailedthefactofthechild\'spresenceonthescenewithabsoluterelief。

"Littlegirl，canyoufindsomeonetodriveaway-

"shebeganhopefully。

"COMMENT？COMPRENDSPAS，"wastheresponse。

"Oh，areyouFrench？ETESVOUSFRANCAISE？"

"PASDETOUS。\'SUISANGLAISE。"

"ThenwhynottalkEnglish？Iwanttoknowif-"

"PERMETTEZ-MOIEXPLIQUER。Yousee，I\'mratherunderacloud，"saidMatilda。"I\'mstayingwithmyaunt，andI

wastoldImustbehaveparticularlywellto-day，aslotsofpeoplewerecomingforagardenparty，andIwastoldtoimitateClaude，that\'smyyoungcousin，whoneverdoesanythingwrongexceptbyaccident，andthenisalwaysapologeticaboutit。ItseemstheythoughtIatetoomuchraspberrytrifleatlunch，andtheysaidClaudenevereatstoomuchraspberrytrifle。Well，Claudealwaysgoestosleepforhalfanhourafterlunch，becausehe\'stoldto，andIwaitedtillhewasasleep，andtiedhishandsandstartedforciblefeedingwithawholebucketfulofraspberrytriflethattheywerekeepingforthegarden-party。Lotsofitwentontohissailor-suitandsomeofitontothebed，butagooddealwentdownClaude\'sthroat，andtheycan\'tsayagainthathehasneverbeenknowntoeattoomuchraspberrytrifle。

ThatiswhyIamnotallowedtogototheparty，andasanadditionalpunishmentImustspeakFrenchalltheafternoon。I\'vehadtotellyouallthisinEnglish，astherewerewordslike`forciblefeeding\'thatIdidn\'tknowtheFrenchfor；ofcourseIcouldhaveinventedthem，butifIhadsaidNOURRITUREOBLIGATOIREyouwouldn\'thavehadtheleastideawhatIwastalkingabout。MAISMAINTENANT，NOUSPARLONSFRANCAIS。"

"Oh，verywell，TRESBIEN，"saidMrs。Stossenreluctantly；inmomentsofflurrysuchFrenchassheknewwasnotunderverygoodcontrol。"LA，AL\'AUTRECOTEDE

LAPORTE，ESTUNCOCHON-"

"UNCOCHON？AH，LEPETITCHARMANT！"exclaimedMatildawithenthusiasm。

"MAISNON，PASDUTOUTPETIT，ETPASDUTOUT

CHARMANT；UNBETEFEROCE-"

"UNEBETE，"correctedMatilda；"apigismasculineaslongasyoucallitapig，butifyouloseyourtemperwithitandcallitaferociousbeastitbecomesoneofusatonce。Frenchisadreadfullyunsexinglanguage。"

"Forgoodness\'sakeletustalkEnglishthen，"saidMrs。Stossen。"Isthereanywayoutofthisgardenexceptthroughthepaddockwherethepigis？"

"Ialwaysgooverthewall，bywayoftheplumtree，"saidMatilda。

"Dressedaswearewecouldhardlydothat，"saidMrs。Stossen；itwasdifficulttoimagineherdoingitinanycostume。

"Doyouthinkyoucouldgoandgetsomeonewhowoulddrivethepigaway？"askedMissStossen。

"IpromisedmyauntIwouldstayheretillfiveo\'clock；it\'snotfouryet。"

"Iamsure，underthecircumstances，yourauntwouldpermit-"

"Myconsciencewouldnotpermit，"saidMatildawithcolddignity。

"Wecan\'tstayheretillfiveo\'clock，"exclaimedMrs。Stossenwithgrowingexasperation。

"ShallIrecitetoyoutomakethetimepassquicker？"askedMatildaobligingly。"`Belinda，thelittleBreadwinner，\'isconsideredmybestpiece，or，perhaps，itoughttobesomethinginFrench。HenriQuatre\'saddresstohissoldiersistheonlythingI

reallyknowinthatlanguage。"

"IfyouwillgoandfetchsomeonetodrivethatanimalawayIwillgiveyousomethingtobuyyourselfanicepresent，"saidMrs。Stossen。

Matildacameseveralincheslowerdownthemedlartree。

"Thatisthemostpracticalsuggestionyouhavemadeyetforgettingoutofthegarden，"sheremarkedcheerfully；"ClaudeandIarecollectingmoneyfortheChildren\'sFreshAirFund，andweareseeingwhichofuscancollectthebiggestsum。"

"Ishallbeverygladtocontributehalfacrown，verygladindeed，"saidMrs。Stossen，diggingthatcoinoutofthedepthsofareceptaclewhichformedadetachedoutworkofhertoilet。

"Claudeisalongwayaheadofmeatpresent，"

continuedMatilda，takingnonoticeofthesuggestedoffering；"yousee，he\'sonlyeleven，andhasgoldenhair，andthoseareenormousadvantageswhenyou\'reonthecollectingjob。OnlytheotherdayaRussianladygavehimtenshillings。Russiansunderstandtheartofgivingfarbetterthanwedo。IexpectClaudewillnetquitetwenty-fiveshillingsthisafternoon；he\'llhavethefieldtohimself，andhe\'llbeabletodothepale，fragile，not-long-for-this-worldbusinesstoperfectionafterhisraspberrytrifleexperience。Yes，he\'llbeQUITEtwopoundsaheadofmebynow。"

Withmuchprobingandpluckingandmanyregretfulmurmursthebeleagueredladiesmanagedtoproduceseven-

and-sixpencebetweenthem。

"Iamafraidthisisallwe\'vegot，"saidMrs。

Stossen。

Matildashowednosignofcomingdowneithertotheearthortotheirfigure。

"Icouldnotdoviolencetomyconscienceforanythinglessthantenshillings，"sheannouncedstiffly。

Motheranddaughtermutteredcertainremarksundertheirbreath，inwhichtheword"beast"wasprominent，andprobablyhadnoreferencetoTarquin。

"IfindIHAVEgotanotherhalf-crown，"saidMrs。

Stosseninashakingvoice；"hereyouare。Nowpleasefetchsomeonequickly。"

Matildaslippeddownfromthetree，tookpossessionofthedonation，andproceededtopickupahandfulofover-ripemedlarsfromthegrassatherfeet。Thensheclimbedoverthegateandaddressedherselfaffectionatelytotheboar-pig。

"Come，Tarquin，dearoldboy；youknowyoucan\'tresistmedlarswhenthey\'rerottenandsquashy。"

Tarquincouldn\'t。BydintofthrowingthefruitinfrontofhimatjudiciousintervalsMatildadecoyedhimbacktohisstye，whilethedeliveredcaptiveshurriedacrossthepaddock。

"Well，Inever！Thelittleminx！"exclaimedMrs。

Stossenwhenshewassafelyonthehighroad。"Theanimalwasn\'tsavageatall，andasforthetenshillings，Idon\'tbelievetheFreshAirFundwillseeapennyofit！"

Thereshewasunwarrantablyharshinherjudgment。

Ifyouexaminethebooksofthefundyouwillfindtheacknowledgment："CollectedbyMissMatildaCuvering，2s。

6d。"

THEBROGUE

THEhuntingseasonhadcometoanend，andtheMulletshadnotsucceededinsellingtheBrogue。Therehadbeenakindoftraditioninthefamilyforthepastthreeorfouryears，asortoffatalistichope，thattheBroguewouldfindapurchaserbeforethehuntingwasover；butseasonscameandwentwithoutanythinghappeningtojustifysuchill-foundedoptimism。TheanimalhadbeennamedBerserkerintheearlierstagesofitscareer；ithadbeenrechristenedtheBroguelateron，inrecognitionofthefactthat，onceacquired，itwasextremelydifficulttogetridof。Theunkinderwitsoftheneighbourhoodhadbeenknowntosuggestthatthefirstletterofitsnamewassuperfluous。TheBroguehadbeenvariouslydescribedinsalecataloguesasalight-

weighthunter，alady\'shack，and，moresimply，butstillwithatouchofimagination，asausefulbrowngelding，standing15。1。TobyMullethadriddenhimforfourseasonswiththeWestWessex；youcanridealmostanysortofhorsewiththeWestWessexaslongasitisananimalthatknowsthecountry。TheBrogueknewthecountryintimately，havingpersonallycreatedmostofthegapsthatweretobemetwithinbanksandhedgesformanymilesround。Hismannersandcharacteristicswerenotidealinthehuntingfield，buthewasprobablyrathersafertoridetohoundsthanhewasasahackoncountryroads。AccordingtotheMulletfamily，hewasnotreallyroad-shy，buttherewereoneortwoobjectsofdislikethatbroughtonsuddenattacksofwhatTobycalledtheswervingsickness。Motorsandcycleshetreatedwithtolerantdisregard，butpigs，wheelbarrows，pilesofstonesbytheroadside，perambulatorsinavillagestreet，gatespaintedtooaggressivelywhite，andsometimes，butnotalways，thenewerkindofbeehives，turnedhimasidefromhistracksinvividimitationofthezigzagcourseofforkedlightning。IfapheasantrosenoisilyfromtheothersideofahedgerowtheBroguewouldspringintotheairatthesamemoment，butthismayhavebeenduetoadesiretobecompanionable。TheMulletfamilycontradictedthewidelyprevalentreportthatthehorsewasaconfirmedcrib-biter。