THE MIDGET OF MAMMALS 



still on his haunches, only looking round with 

 wonder at this minute beast cuddling in his bushy 

 tail. I remember an ordinary house mouse having 

 a very different effect on a dog of mine. This was 

 a rough-haired collie, a grand beast, which, however, 

 would stoop to ignoble game, catching mice in the 

 kitchen like a cat. One evening, as he lay stretched 

 full length on his side, sleeping in the passage, a 

 mouse scampered right over him and disappeared in 

 the darkness beyond. That dog was upright, on 

 all fours, in a flash, as if his body were some spring 

 of instantaneous action ; and, scared as by a ghost, 

 with his tail tucked out of sight, he came rushing 

 to us through the open door for shelter. 



289 



