50 
PORCUPINE MOODS. 
cient punishment to make him retreat in good 
order from any mischief in which he might be 
found. 
As he had a most inquisitive mind, it was not 
seldom, by any means, that such correction was 
needed. 
Not a particle of flour or any of its compounds, 
or any kind of fruit, could be left within the 
power of his discovery by smell (which sense was 
very acute), without his making a most thorough 
and persistent search therefor. 
Like many geniuses, he was much subject to 
moods and tenses ! Sometimes, for hours to- 
gether, he would roll himself up, so that he 
resembled nothing in the world but a ball of hair 
and spines, from the centre of which would come 
the most piteous little moans, almost human in 
their touching accents. As he seemed perfectly 
well in every way, it became the opinion of un- 
sympathetic observers, that they were his render- 
ing of “The Girl I left behind me,” or “Home, 
Sweet Home” 
Mrs. Maxwell was far from making light of 
his heart-aches, and used to assure him of her 
deepest sympathy, and try to draw away his at- 
tention from himself by sweetmeats and other 
dainties, tending to sooth wounded spirits. 
At times he was very playful, balancing him- 
self on his hind feet and tail, and with extended 
