OUR COUNTRY LIFE 



only Genius may be. On being presented to a lady 

 who was calling, she half tentatively asked, "Not the 

 great — " 



At his look of real distress, I broke in: "Yes, the great 

 sculptor. But he is so modest that he blushes at the 

 word." 



"Well, I can't help it," he explained in some con- 

 fusion, whether referring to his work or to his blushes 

 was a question. All the evening he took refuge in tell- 

 ing experiences of a Mr. B — , a college chum and in- 

 timate friend who, he said, "having had sufficient 

 means became an ornithologist, while I had to carve 

 for a living." Fortunately for the world! 



"Anyone that knows me long always has to hear 

 about Mr. B — " he quizzically explained. "You know 

 the flat round baskets that figs come in? Well, my 

 friend Mr. B — saves them for the robins." I was so 

 overcome by this thoughtful act that I forgot to ask if 

 he tied the baskets securely in the bushes. 



"Of course you have heard about Abbott Thayer's 

 theory of protective coloring, haven't you? Only the 



206 



