WINTRY DAYS 261 



alone for days together, yet, when disturbed, he 

 was as lively as ever, and had a long run in the 

 wheel. Time passed, and a disease not uncommon 

 in mice appeared in the form of a swelling on his 

 neck ; but this did not interfere with his activity, 

 and he was as bright and ate as much as formerly. 

 Corn of various kinds, apple, nuts, and brown 

 bread were welcomed. But the trouble increased, 

 and the question arose whether it would be more 

 merciful to kill him than to prolong his lonely and 

 painful life. Yet when he could still relish food, 

 and leap about the cage like a child let out for 

 a holiday, why kill him ? The disfigurement in- 

 creased, and necessitated the enlarging of the 

 opening into the nest-box. The mouse under- 

 stood this operation, and skipped about his cage 

 after every inspection of what was being done. 

 One day he was very quiet, having evidently hurt 

 the diseased spot ; but next morning he was 

 lively, and had a long run in the wheel. Then he 

 began to look rough and untidy, for the disease 

 prevented him from smoothing his fur, nevertheless 

 he jumped about after finding a nut. 



A few days later he was dead. The disease 



