COUNTRY LIFE
HABITUAL practices are as fruitful in the country as elsewhere. It is my custom to take a stroll down the steep lane between the cherry orchard and the apple orchard every night at about half-past ten, accompanied by two companions, a Corgi dog and an old half-Siamese cat. Normally, these two live in a modern European way, in a watchful state, but with averted eyes, neither seeing what the other does, but prepared to lodge a protest at any moment. The only time when they show any direct consciousness of each other is during this evening walk. They even become playful, the cat lying in wait'in the grass verge, and making a ballet-like pretence of leaping out at the clumsy explorer of smells as he passes and re-passes. It is amusing to watch his reaction to this rather ominous touch of humour. His front legs (Hepplewhite) accelerate, while his back ones (Chippendale) brake hard. The result is much raising of dust, side-slipping and re-planning of routes.
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