136 DOG STORIES 



had remained at home, when he saw the 

 arrival of his former friend, looked steadily 

 at him for a few seconds, and then, without 

 further parley, went at him and gave the 

 truant a thoroughly sound thrashing. I always 

 explain this to myself by supposing that the 

 home-keeping dog decided that the truant 

 had caused him for several days needless 

 anxiety and abstinence from food, and that 

 the truant must learn by painful experience 

 that such behaviour could not be lightly 

 condoned by his inseparable companion. 



J. G. 



CONSCIOUS AUTOMATA. 



\_7ulyv, 1875.] 



I HAVE lately heard a story that I hope you 

 may think worthy of a place among your 

 illustrations of the thoughtful intelligence of 

 " Conscious Automata." Many years ago, a 

 family having a house in Grosvenor Square, 

 and a place in the country (I think in War- 

 wickshire), owned a terrier, who, in the 

 country, made great friends with a large 

 Newfoundland. When they came to town 



