276 Life and Times of " The Druid." 



and he would confide to its mother that he 

 really thought the new treasure was "just a 

 wee bit nicer and prettier than the last." 

 He would nurse an infant in long - clothes 

 most skilfully and scientifically ; his first visit 

 on returning home from his daily duties in 

 town being ever to the nursery, where the 

 little group longingly awaited the rarely 

 omitted half hour of games with " Father." 

 Then he would rush off to the poultry yard, 

 the habitation of all the children's pets, in- 

 cluding the fowls in which he took such 

 intense interest for many years. Lastly, 

 he would look for his wife, who, complain- 

 ing bitterly one day of standing last on the 

 list, was silenced by the apt rejoinder, 

 " Ought I not to keep my choicest treasure 

 for a final treat ? " 



He delighted to draw his children out upon 

 any subject that engaged their attention, and 

 was always not only ready, but eager to lend 

 his valuable assistance and advice in the 

 rehearsal of their juvenile recitations and the 

 preparation of their tableaux and charades. 



His patience with them at all times was 

 inexhaustible, except when called upon to 



