XXVI 
A FRIENDLY CHAT 
Budge has a habit of sitting on all fours with his 
paws curled under, his tail drawn tightly around his 
body, and his eyes half closed ; and whenever Guy 
sees him in that position he says “ behold the 
Sphinx.” 
One summer evening when we three were out on 
the piazza, I asked Budge what his thoughts were 
on such occasions. “ Generally about dogs,” said 
he. “ I have been trying for a long time to think 
what dogs are good for anyhow, and as I can’t 
think of a single thing, I wonder why there should 
be any dogs in the world at all.” 
I told Budge he must not judge all dogs by these 
saucy curs that come into our yard to eat up our 
dinner and bark at us. Said I : “ Have you never 
heard of Owney, the Postal dog, that has traveled 
all over this country, bringing joy and good cheer 
to the hearts of the poor toiling men that work on 
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