124 TRAMPS 



point of art the dramatic effect is exceedingly good, 

 and shows how native genius may answer the appeal of 

 self-interest in circumstances and natures apparently 

 the most unpromising. As for the bullying, that is 

 scarcely art in any sense of the word ; it is nature pure 

 and simple. Given a lonely farmhouse in hay harvest, 

 when the men are at work out of earshot, and a woman 

 left on solitary guard. Tired and footsore, the de- 

 jected tramp drags himself with respectful limp towards 

 the hospitable door. All the time and he gives him- 

 self plenty of it his small grey eyes are rummaging 

 out every nook and corner of the place like a terrier on 

 the quest, to satisfy himself that everything is really as 

 deserted as it seems. To hear his knock you would 

 fancy he has dragged himself to the door to die, and 

 indeed the respectable female who opens finds him 

 propping himself painfully and despondingly against 

 the door-post. It is but common humanity to invite 

 him ;to a seat on the kitchen settle, although it may 

 not be common sense to explain repentantly the dis- 

 trustful delay in receiving him. But there was no one 

 else in the house, and these simple words revive him 

 more than all the proffered attentions of the Good 

 Samaritan who speaks them. The tramp is on his 

 legs at once, master of the situation ; imposing contri- 

 butions in a voice of suppressed thunder, with the 

 appropriate gestures he has practised a thousand times 

 before on the ladies of his family. These are the 

 sunny hours of the trade, when you enjoy the honours 

 and profits of war in the midst of a peaceful country, 



