Page:Arthur Machen - The Hill of Dreams.djvu/131

THE HILL OF DREAMS his selfishness in keeping his amusements to himself. He had found a poor lost puppy, a little creature with bright pitiful eyes, almost human in their fond friendly gaze. It was not a well-bred little dog; it was certainly not that famous puppy 'by Vick out of Wasp'; it had rough hair and a foolish long tail which it wagged beseechingly, at once deprecating severity and asking kindness. The poor animal had evidently been used to gentle treatment: it would look up in a boy's face, and give a leap, fawning on him, and then bark in a small doubtful voice, and cower a moment on the ground, astonished perhaps at the strangeness, the bustle and animation. The boys were beside themselves with eagerness; there was quite a babble of voices, arguing, discussing, suggesting. Each one had a plan of his own which he brought before the leader, a stout and sturdy youth.

'Drown him! What be you thinkin' of, mun?' he was saying.' 'Tain't no sport at all. You shut your mouth, gwaes. Be you goin' to ask your mother for the boiling water? Iss, Bob Williams, I do know all that: but where be you a-going to get the fire from? Be quiet, mun, can't you? Thomas Trevor, be this dog yourn or mine? 121