28 
ALMOST HUMAN 
for a moment or two, until their combined remonstrances compel the 
unoffending group to move away in self-defence. This convinces the 
mother that she has done the approaching monkey a cruel injustice in 
suspecting her of designs on her child — has she not proved herself most 
zealous in warding off some grave danger that she would not have noticed 
unless her attention had been attracted by this friendly vigilance? She 
takes no further exception to her coming nearer to her, and this is 
exactly what the other monkey has calculated upon. Under the spell 
of the generous spasm she draws close up to the mother’s side, and then 
“A superior breed of monkeys with very fine silky hair and extra long tails.” 
(Daddy Long Legs.) 
sits with folded arms viewing the landscape, as if the last thought she 
had in the world was the baby monkey. Presently she attempts to 
take an imaginary bit of fluff off the mother’s back or shoulder, but 
this action immediately revives the old doubts, and, all maternal fears 
uppermost, the poor creature hugs her treasure so close as to almost 
squeeze the life out of it. But when she can spare a moment to look at 
her too-near neighbour, she sees a monkey sitting with folded arms 
gazing vacantly into space, or watching the movements of friends in 
