MASTER IMPUDENCE 95 
utter want of concern the barefaced abstraction of his 
property. 
Now, I submit that, impudent as he is, the Indian 
crow would not invade my study and steal my bird’s 
food while my eye was upon him. It is true that crows 
habitually commit larceny in my bungalow—theft in a 
dwelling-house is, I believe, the correct name in India 
for this particular offence—but they do so only when 
my back is turned or when I am sleeping the sleep of 
the just. Not only does the squirrel openly commit 
theft, but he glories in his misdeeds. 
Yesterday I hurriedly entered my study and found a 
squirrel sitting on the table and chattering to himself at 
the top of his voice. I maintain that the most reckless 
crow would not dare to take up a position on my desk 
and proclaim the fact to the whole household by a series 
of loud and offensive “ squawks.” 
What with the crows, the sparrows, and the squirrels, 
I literally have to fight for my daily chota hazir7, The 
crows and sparrows attempt to steal only when I am 
asleep. The squirrels are bolder. When I am lying 
in bed awake, they creep into the room, climb up the 
leg of the table, and help themselves to the toast under 
my very eyes. 
I sometimes sit up suddenly while Master Squirrel 
is in the act of grappling with a piece of toast that is 
reluctant to leave the rack, He bounds out of the 
room like greased lightning, and, as likely as not, upsets 
acup in his alarm. When he is safely in the verandah, he 
turns round and abuses me roundly. Master Impudence 
never loses an opportunity of adding insult to injury. 
