jack’s fears. 
105 
bad as treating the poor kitten so. I wonder 
how you or any of us would feel to be put 
helpless into a boat and then hunted with 
bloodhounds. How did you like it when 
Mr. Stoke’s bull chased you through the 
pasture? You didn’t find it very good fun, 
did you ?” 
“ You don’t suppose they feel as we do,— 
cats and dogs, and such creatures ?” 
“ I suppose they feel very nearly as badly. 
Why not? Just think how the poor little 
thing tried to get away, and how pitifully 
she mewed. And think how a deer will run, 
or any hunted animal, to save his life.” 
“ Well, I know,” said Jack. “I’ve thought 
about that too, since I have lain here on 
my back. I never was sick before; and it 
seems as if last week was the longest I ever 
knew. Sometimes I think I shall never get 
well,” said he, lowering his voice: “I know 
I am very sick, and I don’t seem to get 
any better. Ho you know what the doctor 
thinks ? I know he told Mr. Crediton some¬ 
thing about me yesterday; but I didn’t dare 
to ask him. Hid he tell you?” Richard 
and Sidney looked at each other. 
“I don’t know exactly what he thinks, 
