MASTER IMPUDENCE 95 



utter want of concern the barefaced abstraction of his 

 property. 



Now, I submit that, impudent as he is, the Indian 

 crow would not invade my study and steal my bird's 

 food while my eye was upon him. It is true that crows 

 habitually commit larceny in my bungalow — theft in a 

 dwelling-house is, I believe, the correct name in India 

 for this particular offence — but they do so only when 

 my back is turned or when I am sleeping the sleep of 

 the just. Not only does the squirrel openly commit 

 theft, but he glories in his misdeeds. 



Yesterday I hurriedly entered my study and found a 

 squirrel sitting on the table and chattering to himself at 

 the top of his voice. I maintain that the most reckless 

 crow would not dare to take up a position on my desk 

 and proclaim the fact to the whole household by a series 

 of loud and offensive " squawks." 



What with the crows, the sparrows, and the squirrels, 

 I literally have to fight for my daily chota haziri. The 

 crows and sparrows attempt to steal only when I am 

 asleep. The squirrels are bolder. When I am lying 

 in bed awake, they creep into the room, climb up the 

 leg of the table, and help themselves to the toast under 

 my very eyes. 



I sometimes sit up suddenly while Master Squirrel 

 is in the act of grappling with a piece of toast that is 

 reluctant to leave the rack. He bounds out of the 

 room like greased lightning, and, as likely as not, upsets 

 a cup in his alarm. When he is safely in the verandah, he 

 turns round and abuses me roundly. Master Impudence 

 never loses an opportunity of adding insult to injury. 



