228 
THE LION. 
himself in his chair, as if in expectation of 
a great treat. 
“ Sidney is expecting some good hunting- 
stories,” said Annie, laughing. “ I believe 
he cares more for them than for any thing 
else.” 
“Not more than for any thing else,” said 
Sidney; “but I must confess I do like hunt¬ 
ing-stories, when they are not too bloody; 
and I do not see that there is any harm in 
it, either.” 
“Certainly not,” replied Miss Winston. 
“ There is no more harm in hunting-stories 
than in any other tales of adventure; and I 
think them much more innocent than details 
of battles and sieges, with all their horrors 
and cruelties.” 
“But it does not follow that a man is 
cruel because he likes to hunt: does it, 
aunt?” 
“A hunter may be cruel, no doubt,” said 
Miss Winston; “but it does not follow that 
he must be. Still, I cannot understand the 
pleasure men and boys seem to take in 
shooting all sorts of harmless creatures, 
—such as robins, for instance.” 
“You don’t call that hunting, do you?” 
