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of field-mice to feed her voracious brood. To-night it 

 is warm for once, and we sit long outside, indolently 

 enjoying the sight, sounds, and scents of a summer 

 night, and guessing at the identity of the dusky shapes 

 that creep or run over the lawn ; for this is the hour 

 when the smaller mammals and batrachians resume 

 activity, and my old dog, who has been brought down 

 to share our vigil, often starts forward to inspect some 

 passing toad, but, warned by bitter experience of its 

 acrid taste, lets it severely alone when once he has 

 satisfied himself of its identity. 



