our single joys shine by reduplication. But " yap, 

 yap, yap ! " what is this confounded cur ? he has 

 fastened his tooth, which is none of the bluntest, 

 just in the fleshy part of my leg." 



" It is my dog, sir. You must love him for 

 my sake. Here, Test — Test — Test ! " 



" But he has bitten me." 



"Ay, that he is apt to do, till you are better 

 acquainted with him. I have had him three 

 years. He never bites me." 



Yap, yap, yap ! — " He is at it again." 



" Oh, sir, you must not kick him. He does not 

 like to be kicked. I expect my dog to be treated 

 with all the respect due to myself." 



" But do you always take him out with you, 

 when you go a friendship-hunting ? " 



" Invariably. 'Tis the sweetest, prettiest, best- 

 conditioned animal. I call him my test — the 

 touchstone by which to try a friend. No one can 

 properly be said to love me, who does not love 

 him." 



" Excuse us, dear sir — or madam, aforesaid — if 

 upon further consideration we are obliged to 

 decline the otherwise invaluable offer of your 

 friendship. We do not like dogs." 



" Mighty well, sir — you know the conditions — 

 you may have worse offers. Come along, Test." 



* • > • 



Charles Lamb. 

 143 



