OLD JOHN, TIM, & OTHERS 153 



me to throw it. When the ball was 

 thrown, off he would bound after it ; and 

 in a few seconds, short tail wagging and 

 eyes gleaming, he would be back with it 

 in his mouth, to be placed at my feet 

 again, in continuance of the game. This 

 would be repeated all afternoon, and the 

 day's task would be left unaccomplished. 

 The need to go on with one's work keeps 

 me lying low indoors, aloof from Tim's 

 importunities, to which, so great is his 

 disappointment when denied, I should un- 

 doubtedly have to yield. On the other 

 hand, Tim sometimes comes to the golf- 

 course. He walks round with the 

 players, and is obviously interested in 

 what they do ; but what does he see ? 

 He witnesses everything save the count- 

 ing. The one thing of which Tim is 

 unconscious is the one thing that would 

 make completely intelligible to him the 

 pastime of his human friends. May 

 it not be that the game of ball which 

 he makes me play with him would 

 be intelligible to me if only I knew why 



