The Mountain Sheep 215 



more about climbing than the lamb and I 

 did. 



There this couple stood in full view some 

 few hundred feet — about three hundred, I 

 should think — below me; and here sat I at my 

 ease, like a person looking over a comfortable 

 balcony, observing them through my glass. 

 There was a certain mirth in the thought how 

 different would have been the mamma's deport- 

 ment had she become aware that herself, her 

 child, and her privacy were all in the presence of 

 a party who was taking notes. But she, through- 

 out, never became aware of this, and I sat the 

 witness of a domestic hour full of discipline, 

 encouragement, and instruction. The glasses 

 brought them to a nearness not unlike peeping 

 through the keyhole ; I could see the color of 

 their eyes. The lady's expression could easily 

 have passed for critical. After throwing a glance 

 round the terrace, her action to the lamb was 

 fairly similar to remarking, " Yes, there are no 

 improper persons here ; you may play about if 

 you wish." 



Some such thing happened between them, 

 for, after waiting for the scrambling lamb to come 

 up with her on the level and stand beside her. 



