MUNGO. 45 



morning sleep in a sunny spot, and then his 

 profound interest in a certain rhododendron bed, 

 where rabbit-holes and mole-tracks are to be 

 found, leads him to steal across the lawn and 

 disappear amongst the bushes. I rather fancy 

 he has grand times there, for if I attempt to coax 

 him to come with me, his pert little nose will 

 appear amidst the leaves, and with a frisk and a 

 leap of absolute disobedience and fun he will 

 return to his playground and remain there till it 

 pleases him to come indoors again. His next 

 desire is to enjoy a quiet afternoon under a warm 

 duvet, and as he behaves with absolute propriety 

 and only covets warmth and quietness, I am 

 indulgent enough to allow him the luxury of being 

 in my room until evening, when he is fed, wrapped 

 up in a wool mat and a piece of baize and placed 

 safely in his cage for the night. 



Although Mungo would often absent himself for 

 hours at a time, we were so sure to see him trotting 

 quietly home when his frolics were ended, that 

 somehow the possibility of an accident happening 

 to him never crossed our minds. When, however, 

 one day he did not return by evening, and night 



