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。