106 The Marquess of Tavistock—A Study in Feminine Psychology


I had hopes, somewhat faint, I must admit, that, as the cock

Barnard had always been master before, he might put the virago

in her place when she was let in with him. It was no use, however ;

she went for him like a tigress ; he made no attempt to stand up to her

and I had to separate them to save his life. By way of discipline

I subjected her to 10 days’ solitary confinement in the Mealy’s empty

aviary, partly to convince her of his absence ; partly to bore her into

better behaviour. I had little anticipation, however, that the plan would

succeed as no cock Barnard I have ever had who disliked a hen as much

as she disliked the cock has ever relented under any circumstances,

whatever. If she would not behave I meant to cut her wing but.

I decided to give her one more chance.


Accordingly at the end of her time of penance she was transferred-

back to the cock’s aviary. At the sight of the catching-net, which

contained her, he slipped into the shelter and we waited outside to.

see the meeting. After a considerable time he emerged slowly.

He had not forgotten her late treatment of him for he did not.

display but eyed her cautiously and uncertainly. I expected

her to fly at him, the more so as a hen Broadtail despises a

cowardly suitor as much as a cock dislikes a too forward bride..

Femina mutabilis semper ! She didn’t go for him, though by every

rule of Broadtail misconduct she should have done so. The old hussy

dropped her shoulders in a slight display of greeting and whenever

he could not avoid approaching her a little, she very ostentatiously

and demurely edged away or flew on to another perch. She might

have fretted and gone back in condition ? Not a bit of it. When she

heard the other pair of Barnards she was as keen as anything to fight,

them. She was a woman of the world, that’s all !



