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。