BRUNO 93 



Bruno stretched at our feet; so I was inclined 

 to object one evening, when Julius announced 

 at dinner that he had promised to give a few 

 hours to helping a young friend of his to 

 straighten out his accounts. He had promised, 

 though ; so I had to yield. He set off betimes, 

 so as to be home earlier. I locked the door 

 after him, as I always did, and began to make 

 myself as comfortable as possible for a quiet 

 hour or two, with a new magazine. 



Before I had finished cutting the leaves, I 

 was struck with surprise at Bruno's actions. 

 He crept in a very stealthy manner to the door, 

 and stood there in an attitude of listening, with 

 every nerve and muscle tense. 



I watched him a minute, and then asked, 



"What is it, Boonie?" 



He did not look around; he waved his tail 

 once or twice, then resumed his tense pose. 

 Thoroughly surprised, I went softly to him, 

 and stood also listening. I could hear nothing 

 but a faint rustling, a suppressed whispering, 

 and the soft click of a latch. I touched Bruno's 

 head; he looked up at me, and I saw he was 

 holding his lip between his side-teeth, as he had 

 a way of doing when he was very much puzzled 

 or excited. 



