THE LIFE OF A FOXHOUND. 181 



Mark paid me the greatest attention, and, 

 that I might not be low-spirited for want of 

 company, would often sit upon my bench and 

 chat to me, and croon snatches of old ballads 

 to himself. He took me long walks, too, when 

 his work was done, and altogether the time 

 was spent much more agreeably than might be 

 imagined in the gloom of solitude. 



Hearty was the welcome upon my 

 re-appearance in the court, and each of my 

 friends expressed his warm delight at seeing 

 me again ; although a stranger to our ways and 

 customs might deem the reception somewhat 

 churlish, and of the growling mood. How- 

 ever, we do not * use our tongues for the 

 concealment of our thoughts, ' and if devoid of 

 the polish of refined manners, we at least 

 possess an equal proportion of their honesty. 



