78 OCCASIONAL HAPPY THOUGHTS. 



Of course he won't. 



Could I expect a Solicitor logive me his opinion? Wouldn't 

 he be justified in replying, " No, my dear friend, if you are in 

 want of six-and-eightpence, here it is, but I keep my opinion 

 to myself" Could I expect a Barrister to give me the 

 benefit of his experience .'* or a Doctor? 



No, I am convinced that questions, put to a professional 

 man, in a friendly and confidential way, on purely profes- 

 sional matters, are unfair. 



Though, for the above-mentioned reasons, which I fairly 

 think out to myself as we drive along, I am going to drop 

 the subject, yet I can't help inquiring, — 



"Is it only short-necked animals that are subject to 

 apoplexy ? " 



I feel that it is an unfair question for vie to put, as it 

 really might have been one of the chief tests in Mr. Trott's 

 examination papers when he was a Veterinary Student. 



Giving the loose reins a slight check, he returns, — 



" Short-necked, or short-horned ? " 



Short-necked, I meant ; but if I'm wrong 



"Yes," he says, "all short-necked 'uns — Bulls, Cows, and 

 Sheep." 



Happy Thought.— ^ol Giraffes, then ? They're well out 

 of the way of apoplexy. 



I suggest this to Mr. Trott, who seems to look at me side- 

 ways for a second, and then, distinctly, smiles, as if this 

 were something new to him. 



After all, he has not lost by his information, as I've pre- 



