The gas man came, asking that I let him into that
silenceto read the meter. The stuff was all wrapped in paper andrags to keep it from
chafing and spoiling. Forthe sake of the violin she gave up her daily airing but not
herpiano practice. Punk was dashing madly at the fence,leaping, backing to dash
again, as breakers dash at a sea-wall.
John thought with deep affection ofhis
mother.
But when I took him to see her, neither dog
norwoman was pleased. The veterinary ran a stubby fingeraround the sick pups gums.
The house bubbled with activity and good smells.
What torture equals a violin under theuntutored
hand!
IfI raised or half-raised a dog, I named
him.
We did not mind child practice as much as adult
jazz. I fear we must look for a house, said Mama.
One spring thirty pups were born in the kennel
nursery within oneweek.
The laundry man returned it later and toldme it had
been soaked with blood.
Intothe garden trooped a stream of grey vitality,
stirring commotionamong the calm of the flowers.
In an attempt to be funny theyhad been arranged
ridiculously as ornaments.
I had seen them shut Boffin behind a six-foot fence
whenI left the butchers.
Pell-mell we scampered down the
hillside.
He had the reputation of being wicked and had
severalbites to his discredit.
Suddenly I felt the dogs body electrify, saw his
ears square.
But when I took him to see her, neither dog
norwoman was pleased.
She preceded him down the stair, down
thestreet.
Its entire floor space was packedsolid to the
ceiling. The wife had said, Father, shut Boffin in.
FurnitureONCE I turned a zinc pail down over the
head of a widow tenant. Her richness oozed deliciously, spicy,fragrant,
ample.
Mother looked surprised at another visit from me so
soon. Before I let her go among my own dogs,she had to be cleaned. One day I had
occasion to take madame some things.