STUDY IN ANIMAL CHARACTER 233 



Tony spends his days in running about like the pro- 

 verbial March hare. Except when asleep, he is never 

 still. He is not a good sporting dog. His idea of 

 shikar is to chase an aged, inoffensive rooster, or to 

 bait some unfortunate tethered calf. 



Bob leads a sober and orderly life. I have never 

 seen him looking dishevelled. Tojiy^ on the other hand, 

 reminds one of the inky-fingered, dirty-collared, tie- 

 less urchin, who habitually plays truant. He cannot 

 enjoy a run in the garden without discovering a dirty 

 puddle. This, in his opinion, requires investigation. 



Tony^ by the by, investigates everything ; he has an 

 inquiring mind. The invariable result of his investiga- 

 tion is that the dirtiest portions of that puddle find 

 themselves transferred to the person of Tony. They 

 are borne off triumphantly, clinging to his paws and 

 body. Tony then proceeds to make the grand tour of 

 the house, leaving behind him footprints, not on the 

 sands of time, but, what comes to much the same thing, 

 on the drawing-room carpet. When thus bespattered 

 with mud, To7iy is always more demonstrative than 

 usual. He jumps up at each of his human friends in 

 turn, and, heedless of their remonstrances, proceeds to 

 make their garments as muddy as his own feet. 



Bob has not many dog friends. He is naturally re- 

 served ; he makes no advances to his neighbours. His 

 solemn face, muscular frame, and powerful teeth pre- 

 vent these from forcing themselves upon him. Tony is 

 " hail-fellow, well met " with every Dick^ Tom^ and 

 Harry of a pariah dog. He draws the line at nothing. 

 No animal is too disreputable-looking, too mangy, too 



