DOGS AND HOUSES 279 



darkly. But, dear, I may come to see it through 

 your eyes and in the light of this altruistic dog 

 fancier. I'm such a soft one that it's a wonder 

 I'm ever trusted with money." 



The natural thing occurred once more ; the 

 fool and his money parted company, and two of 

 the most beautiful dogs came to live on our 

 lawn. To live on our lawn, did I say ? Not 

 much ! Such wonderful creatures must have a 

 house and grounds of their own to retire to 

 when they were weary of using ours, or when 

 our presence bored them. The kennel and runs 

 were built near the carriage barn, the runs, 

 twenty by one hundred feet, enclosed with high 

 wire netting. The kennel, eight by sixteen, was 

 a handsome structure of its kind, with two com- 

 partments eight by eight (for Jane spoke for 

 the future), and beds, benches, and the usual 

 fixtures which well-bred dogs are supposed to 

 require. 



The house for these dogs cost 1200, so I was 

 obliged to add another $400 to the interest-bearing 

 debt. "If Jane keeps on in this fashion," thought 

 I, " I shall have to refund at a lower rate," and 

 she did keep on. No sooner were the dogs safely 

 kennelled than she began to think how fine it 

 would look to be followed by this wonderful 

 pair along the country roads and through the 

 streets of Exeter. To be followed, she must have 

 a horse and a saddle and a bridle and a habit ; 

 and later on I found that these things did not 



