ear of theological
dogma. "That's allygory. They call it hair-cuttin', and when they call
it that, its hairsplittin'. Take my word for it, Sally Stubbs, that when
she got the secret out of that hefty, long-haired man, she did it with
her pretty ways and good looks."

Still, Miss Stubbs affirmed that such a project as Rounders entertained
was impossible; and it was true. In his weakest, or most sentimental
hours, Brinton knew how to withstand even the blandishments of the
charming Stubbs when she approached professional topics. Under her smile
he opened up like a morning-glory kissed by Aurora; but when she tried
to penetrate into the mystery of his great lion act, he closed up like
the same flower when it encounters the sun. He had a well-ordered mind
divided into compartments--business was one thing and love was another.

Meanwhile the keeper kept his eye on every movement of Brinton. He was
his shadow. When he was not occupied with the master, he was looking
after the animals. Reciprocity of kindness is a principle of nature
which Rounders had observed, and in which he had some faith,
notwithstanding the pessimist views of Brinton. He began by
familiarizing Brutus with the sight of his face, person, and voice. He
spoke to the animal in the most sympathetic accent of which he was
capable. He hung round his cage as long and as often as his duties would
permit. He reached the point of cajolery, and assumed friendship, as:

"Well, Brutus, how are you, old boy? How did you like the last feed? I'm
afraid this travellin' round in confinement, on wheels, is injurin' your
complexion. Of course you would like to be footin' it like the rest of
us. I reckon it _would_ be better for you, but it might be bad for some
of us two-legged fellows. Eh, bully boy?"

This jocularity was in strange contrast to the sombre indifference with
which the king of the forest looked down on the speaker. Rounders
infringed on the rules laid down by Brinton in giving bits of meat to
the beast whenever an opportunity presented itself; but notwithstanding
these offerings, the two sombre eyes continued to regard him with an
unchanged expression. One day, to arouse him from his condition of
indifference or latent kindness, Rounders introduced a stick under the
bars to poke him up in a friendly way, touching him on his extended
paws. The beast struck quickly, and almost caught his hand. As it was,
one of his fingers was bruised by the blow. Brinton, unp