92 EASY-CHAIR MEMORIES 



comfortable state of mind. I have watched 

 him going to roost. Then does he present a 

 most comical combination of wounded pride, 

 vanity, humiliation, imbecility, and indecision. 

 I think it is just one of those rare occasions 

 when he hates to be looked at; he seems to 

 know he is going to make a fool of himself. 

 He is far too proud to take up his lodging on 

 the cold ground, or upon a gate, upon the 

 rafters, or top of a shed ; nothing less than a 

 strong branch away up in some tall tree for a 

 roost will suit his dignity and self-importance, 

 and I fancy the great trial of his life is that 

 nightly ascent which he seems bound to make, 

 while always in dread of some great disaster 

 either to his neck or big, precious tail. It is 

 laughable to see him peck round as he gradu- 

 ally nears the tree, now and again glancing 

 up, then pecking round, then making believe 

 that he is going to start, and, while he is " hesi- 

 tating 'twixt the will and the deed," madame, 

 his wife, comes along, and, without any fuss, 

 " takes the leap at her full speed" and reaches 

 the branch. But still he exhibits the most 

 ludicrous indecision. Pecking, or pretending 

 to peck round about, he makes endless at- 



