228 THE CLERK OF THE WOODS 



deed, the lady of the house, having gone 

 upstairs, noticed the presence of something 

 heavy in her pocket (she is a naturalist, 

 and for that reason, I suppose, still wears 

 a pocket in her gown), and on putting her 

 hand into it, found Betty inside. 



But, as I say, Betty had suddenly discon- 

 tinued her visits, and there was mourning 

 at the cottage. Worse yet, there was wrath, 

 and the stable cat had barely escaped with 

 his life. But now, on a Sunday noon, when 

 the cottagers appeared at the hotel dinner- 

 table, they announced with beaming faces 

 that there was great news : Betty had re- 

 turned ! I must come over and see her ; 

 for up to this time I knew her charms only 

 by report. 



As soon as dinner was finished, therefore, 

 we repaired to the cottage veranda, and 

 pretty soon, while we were talking of one 

 thing and another, the lady said, " Ah, here 

 she is ! Here 's Betty ! " Filberts had been 

 provided, and she began at once to climb 

 into our laps after them. She carried them 

 away three at a time, one in each cheek- 

 pouch and one between her teeth, going 



