24 8 DOG STORIES 



traits by which his great love for us was 

 perpetually displayed how he learned to 

 crack nuts of all kinds, and to pick out the 

 kernels like a squirrel how he never went 

 into the servants' hall or the kitchen, and 

 refused to associate with the servants, though 

 friendly with them, and especially with John 

 Lambert, his fast friend. But I must bring 

 this sketch to a close. 



We had been absent about a year in 

 Germany and the South of France. After 

 we left, Sprig was inconsolable, and would 

 not eat ; but the cook made him little curries 

 and rice, and after a time he became more 

 resigned. We only heard that he was well, 

 and hoped we should find him so. The day 

 we arrived I thought he would have died for 

 joy. He gasped for breath, and lay down, 

 and when taken up by his mistress lay in her 

 arms almost insensible. It was long before 

 he came to himself, and when he did revive, 

 it is quite impossible to describe his delight, 

 or what he did. He was, indeed, quite 

 beside himself with joy, scouring about, 

 dragging his mistress here and there, doing 



