PRINCE MORDGE. ^45 



affecting, and all the family vied with each other in 

 petting and striving to comfort him. He would creep 

 out when called and eat what was given — not because 

 he cared to eat, but because he wished us to see that 

 he appreciated our attentions. 



If food were set before him, and no coaxing added, 

 he left it untouched, and I believe would have pined 

 to death if our father had not persuaded him to take 

 an occasional walk, and striven continually to make 

 him forget his grief. I have come into the parlour 

 and seen Slop with his head on my father's knee, and 

 this would be the sort of conversation between them. 



" Yetta is awa', Mordge. Poor Mordge ! " 



Slop sighed sentimentally. 



" Would the dog like to be after the rabbits with 

 his master ? " 



Slop's cocked ears said, " Wouldn't I just ! " 



" Where's the gun, Mordge ? eh, Mordie ? " 



Slop replied by glancing at the row of guns slung 

 upon the wall, and uttering a low whine. Then our 

 father would go through the pantomime of pointing 

 and firing a gun, and Slop would bark joyously. 

 Having roused his interest, our father would then 

 invite him to take a walk, and thus he became 

 gradually weaned from his sorrow. But there was 

 no forgetfulness in his brighter moods. If his master's 

 name was mentioned in his hearing he sprang up and 

 gazed with eager questioning at whoever had uttered 

 the name. 



Once when a parcel was being unfolded an im- 



