PREFACE 



" SONNY, you kin reckon it dead sure, thar's something 

 wrong 'bout a thing that don't explain itself." 



That was Old Rooky's advice, given three-and- 

 twenty years ago not forgotten yet, but, in this 

 instance, respectfully ignored. 



It happened some years ago, and this was the way 

 of it : the Fox of Ballybotherem having served three 

 generations in his native Tipperary, in Kaffraria, 

 and in the Transvaal seemed entitled to a rest ; and 

 when, in the half-hour before ' lights out,' which is 

 the Little People's particular own, the demand came 

 from certain Autocrats of the Nightgown : " Now, 

 tell us something else ! " it occurred to the Puzzled 

 One to tell of Jock's fight with the table leg. And 

 that is how the trouble began. Those with experience 

 will know what followed ; and, for those less for- 

 tunate, the modest demand of one, comfortably 

 tucked up tailorwise, and emphasising his points by 

 excited hand-shakes with his toes, will convey the 

 idea : " It must be all true ! and don't leave out 

 anything ! " 

 vii 



