My artist friend had passed a sweeping criticism for my benefit now and then (there could be no conversation where no second opinion was allowed), and it was with perhaps a shade less of condescension--a shade more of friendliness--that my commercial friend once stopped some remarks of mine with the knowing observation, 'Look here, ma'am.

Whenever I hear this, that, and the other bragged about a party, what I always say is this, I don't want you to tell me what he _his_, but what he _'as_.'" Eleanor and I laughed merrily at the anecdote, even if we were not quite converted to Mrs.Arkwright's views.

And I must in justice add that every visit which has taken us from home--every fresh experience which has enlarged our knowledge of the world--has confirmed the truth of her sage and practical advice.
If at home we have still inclined to feel it almost a duty to be proud of intellectual tastes, quite a duty to be proud of orthodox opinions, and, at the worst, a very amiable weakness indeed to think that there are no boys like our boys, a wholesome experience of having other people's tastes and views crammed down our throats has modified our ideas in this respect.

A strong dose of eulogistic biography of the brothers of a gushing acquaintance made the names of Clem and Jack sacred to our domestic circle for ever; and what I have endured from a mangy, over-fed, ill-tempered Skye-terrier, who is the idol of a lady of our acquaintance, has led me sometimes to wonder if visitors at the Vicarage are ever oppressed by the dear boys.
I'm afraid it is possible--poor dear things! I have positively heard people say that Saucebox is ugly, though he has eyes like a bull-frog, and his tongue hangs quite six inches out of his mouth, and--in warm weather or before meals--further still! However, I keep him in very good order, and never allow him to be troublesome to people who do not appreciate him.

For I have observed that there are people who (having no children of their own) hold very just and severe views about spoiled boys and girls, but who (having dogs of their own) are much less clear-sighted on the subject of spoiled terriers and Pomeranians.