I am humiliated, but still willful; I know my fault, but still continue it.
Let us think; what was the subject?
Reason in dogs, to be sure.

Well, every one who has a dog must admit that he has a strong share of reason; only observe him as he sits by your side and wistfully watches the endless transit of piece after piece, bit after bit, as the fork is conveying delicate morsels to your mouth.

There is neither hope nor despair exhibited in his countenance--he knows those pieces are not for him.

There is an expression of impatience about the eye as he scans your features, which seems to say, "Greedy fellow! what, not one bit for me ?" Only cut a slice from the exterior of the joint--a piece that he knows you will not eat--and watch, the change and eagerness of his expression; he knows as well as you do that this is intended for him--he has reasoned upon it.
This is the simple and every-day performance of a common house-dog.
Observe the pointers in a field of close-cut stubble--two well-broken, reasonable old dogs.

The birds are wild, and have been flushed several times during the day, and the old dog has winded them now in this close-cut stubble, from which he knows the covey will rise at a long range.