as Jackal had gone out of the kitchen, Dog
whipped the bone out of the pot and slyly hid it; then, loading stew and
kabobs on a tray, he hurried after Jackal, and began officiously
bustling about, fawning upon Leopardess, stroking the cubs as he placed
them near their mamma around the smoking trays, scolding Jackal for his
laziness, and bidding him hurry up with the steaks. All of which, of
course, was due to his delight that he had a rare treat in store for
himself snugly hidden away.

Leopardess was pleased to bestow a good many praises upon Dog's cooking,
and the cubs even condescended to smile their approval for the excellent
way in which their wants were supplied.

Towards evening Mistress Leopardess went out again, but not before
reminding Jackal of his duties towards the cubs, and bidding him, if it
were late before she returned, on no account to leave them alone in the
dark. Dog smilingly followed his mistress to the door, wishing her, in
the most fawning manner, every success. When he thought that his
mistress was far enough, and Jackal quite occupied with the cubs, Dog
hastened to the kitchen, and, taking up his bone, stole out of the
house, and carried it to a considerable distance off. When he thought
he was safe from observation, he lay down, and, placing the bone between
his paws, was about to indulge his craving for marrow, when lo! the bone
was seen to fly away back to the den. Wondering at such a curious
event, furious at his disappointment, and somewhat alarmed as he
remembered Leopardess's warning words, he rushed after it, crying:

"Jackal, Jackal! shut the door; the bone is coming. Jackal, please shut
the door."

Jackal fortunately was at the door, squatting on his haunches, having
just arrived there from nursing the cubs, and saw the bone coming
straight towards him, and Dog galloping and crying out to shut the door.
Quickly perceiving that Dog had at last allowed his appetite to get the
better of his duty, and having, truth to say, a fellow-feeling for his
fellow-servant, Jackal closed the door just in time, for in about a
second afterwards the bone struck the door with a tremendous force,
dinting it deeply.

Then Jackal turned to Dog, on recovering from his astonishment, and
angrily asked, "Oh, Dog, do you know what you are doing? Have you no
sense? You came near being the death of me this time. I'll tell you
what, my friend, if Mistress Leopardess hears of this, your life is not
w