ANIMALS A T PL A Y 93 



tops of jam pots, * pop ' fuchsia buds, poke sticks 

 through pictures, muddy clean doorsteps, burn 

 holes in carpets with hot pokers, light whole match- 

 boxes at once, and even upset trains by putting 

 stones on the line, due to a wish for that satisfaction 

 which is derived by getting a maximum of result 

 from a minimum of effort ? Rightly directed that 

 is the object of most mechanical invention, wrongly 

 applied it is ' mischief.' Apart from consequences, 

 such acts are hugely productive of pleasure to boys, 

 and young animals share the feeling. We once 

 watched the united efforts of a litter of setter 

 puppies to enjoy the satisfaction which is derived 

 from such activity, the particular object being the 

 destruction of a fine bed of geraniums, an enterprise 

 which promised a * maximum of result ' with a 

 set-off of a mere trifle of effort, if once a protecting 

 fence of wire-netting could be surmounted. One 

 after another the puppies charged the fence, only 

 to fall back baffled, but not discouraged. Failure 

 only made them more determined. With savage 

 barks and growls they returned again to the attack, 

 until, after a desperate leap and scramble, the biggest 

 puppy rolled over among the geraniums. For a 

 moment he was almost awed by his success. He 

 squeaked and sat down, but only for a moment. 

 Then he hurled himself into the thickest part of 



