A DOG IN EXILE 61 



further than about six inches from his nose; but 

 his hearing and scent were so good, and guided 

 him so well, that no person on a slight acquaint- 

 ance would have made the discovery of his de- 

 fective sight. 



Of course, after this, I could have nothing more 

 to do with the retriever, further than patting him 

 on the head, and speaking a kind word to him 

 whenever he chanced to be in my way. But this 

 was not enough for old Major. He was a sport- 

 ing dog, full of energy, and with undiminished 

 faith in his own powers, in spite of his years, and 

 when a sportsman had come to the house, and had 

 deliberately singled him out for friendly notice, 

 he could not and would not believe that it was 

 to go no further. Day after day he clung to the 

 delusion that he was to accompany me in my walks 

 and little shooting excursions in the neighborhood ; 

 and every time I took down a gun he would rush 

 forward from his post by the door with so many 

 demonstrations of joy, and with such imploring 

 looks and gestures, that I found it very hard to 

 rebuke him. It was sad to have him standing 

 there, first cocking up one ear, then the other, 

 striving to pierce the baffling mists that inter- 

 vened between his poor purblind eyes and my 

 face, to find some sign of relenting in it. 



It was evident that old Major was not happy, 

 in spite of all he had to make him so : although he 

 was well fed and fat, and treated with the great- 

 est kindness by every one on the place, and al- 



