later. Darwin's
face was sober and pondering, and his methods direct and effective. No
side excursions into the brilliant though evanescent fields of fancy
diverted him from his ends. These were, generally, to get the most and
best food and the warmest corner for sleep. When he had acquired a nut,
a kernel of corn, or a piece of fruit, he sat him down and examined it
thoroughly and conscientiously and then, conscientiously and thoroughly,
he devoured it. No extraneous interest could distract his attention; not
for a moment. That he had sounded the seriousness of life is proved by
the fact that he had observed and understood the flighty character
of Funny Face. When Funny Face acquired a titbit, Darwin took up a
hump-backed position near at hand, his bright little eyes fixed on his
friend's activities. Funny Face would nibble relishingly at his prune
for a moment or so; then an altogether astonishing butterfly would
flitter by just overhead. Funny Face, lost in ecstasy would gaze skyward
after the departing marvel. This was Darwin's opportunity. In two
hops he was at Funny Face's side. With great deliberation, but most
businesslike directness, Darwin disengaged Funny Face's unresisting
fingers from the prune, seized it, and retired. Funny Face never
knew it; his soul was far away after the blazoned wonder, and when it
returned, it was not to prunes at all. They were forgotten, and his
wandering eye focussed back to a bright button in the grass. Thus by
strict attention to business did Darwin prosper.

Darwin's attitude was always serious, and his expression grave. When he
condescended to romp with Funny Face one could see that it was not for
the mere joy of sport, but for the purposes of relaxation. If offered
a gift he always examined it seriously before finally accepting it,
turning it over and over in his hands, and considering it with wrinkled
brow. If you offered anything to Funny Face, no matter what, he dashed
up, seized it on the fly, departed at speed uttering grateful low
chatterings; probably dropped and forgot it in the excitement of
something new before he had even looked to see what it was.

"These people," said Darwin to himself, "on the whole, and as an
average, seem to give me appropriate and pleasing gifts. To be sure, it
is always well to see that they don't try to bunco me with olive stones
or such worthless trash, but still I believe they are worth cultivating
and standing in with."

"It strikes m