"Tommy, come and let Shiela scratch his ears." And the lynx, disdainfully shifting its blank green gaze from Hamil, hoisted an absurd stub of a tail and began rubbing its lavishly whiskered jowl against the bush.

Nearer and nearer sidled the lithe grayish animal, cautiously the girl advanced, until the cat was rubbing cheek and flank against the woven-wire fence.

Then, with infinite precaution, she extended her hand, touched the flat fierce head, and slowly began to rub it.
"Don't!" said Hamil, stepping forward; and at the sound of his voice and step the cat whirled and struck, and the girl sprang back, white to the lips.
For a moment she said nothing, then looked up at Hamil beside her, as pale as she.
"I am not hurt," she said, "only startled." "I should not have spoken," he faltered.

"What an ass I am!" "It is all right; I ought to have cautioned you about moving or speaking.

I thought you understood--but please don't look that way, Mr.
Hamil.