THE QUESTION OF POSSIBLE INFLUENCE 101 



(Naming a date about three weeks ahead.) This 

 precluded any possibility of thought-transference, for 

 I simply ignored reckoning out the days myself. By 

 the way, it is astounding that dogs should be receptive 

 to thought-transference, though there are, of course, 

 many proofs of a dog's acute and delicate suscepti- 

 bility in relation to the thoughts of human beings, as 

 well as a certain comprehension for a particular situation 

 in which these may be placed. Yet such comprehen- 

 sion can only evince its true force when animals shall 

 have learnt how to give expression to that of which 

 they are aware. With reference to the incident which 

 I have just cited, the thought that presented itself to 

 me first, was that the entire process might possibly be 

 no more than a matter of " suggestion." Yet, on 

 probing further into the question, as well as by drawing 

 comparisons, the conclusions arrived at only further 

 confirmed what I have above stated. That this is so, 

 will, I think, seems absolutely certain to anyone who 

 reads through the whole of this book carefully indeed, 

 they will arrive at that conclusion without my labour- 

 ing the question. 



It was only by degrees that Lola became amenable 

 to thought-transference, and, in fact, this was only in 

 accordance to the extent to which she became mistress 

 of the human tongue. Now this trait might have 

 degenerated into a serious failing, but, owing to the 

 measures to which I resorted so as to obviate any evil 

 results, it has almost entirely ceased. I now remain 

 quite passive, while she is answering, trying to suppress 

 any " thinking with her," so that, when she tires, her 

 own individuality may not be disturbed. 



