78 HOUND AND HORN 



For two seconds, but two seconds only, did the 

 terrified lady blanch and tremble; and had not Billy 

 himself exhibited a sudden change from a triumphant 

 attitude to one of dismay at the effect of his ruse, the 

 results might have been more decided. 



Then, *' Oh ! you horror ! " screamed Joanna, " you 

 don't for a moment imagine I am taken in by your 

 horrid trick ? You don't suppose I thought there had 

 been an accident ? I confess that I thought at first 

 they might have torn her cloak perhaps." 



" I believe you thought they had eaten her, 

 Granny." 



" Poof! not a bit ! " Then, as her colour returned, 

 ** Tell me exactly what did happen, and don't ever 

 try such a trick again." 



" Well now, Gran'ma," said the penitent Bill, 

 " I'll tell you what I'll do. If the lady comes round 

 here again to-morrow, as she said she'd do, I'll give 

 my subscription vice tlie Master." 



And he was as good as his word, and was 

 mulcted of ten shillings for the S.P.C.A. 



Billy was a good talker, and he was also, what 

 made him so chummable, a good listener ; and he 

 was now in his best listening mood. He began 

 the evening by singing the praises of the Border 

 terriers, a comparativel}'^ modern breed, very sharp 

 and game, but one of which I had little actual 

 experience. 



" Then what sort do you like best ? " said he. 



** You want for this country a terrier that can 

 run with hounds, or, better still, that can follow 

 up and run behind hounds — the sort that hunts a 

 cover or darts away on a fox's line is useless. If 



