But he took no heed, or did not comprehend me, and went on--

"It is an impossibility, and if I did they would think me a lunatic or
a snivelling, sentimental humbug. I believe that lots of my old friends
would scarcely speak to me again. Why, putting aside the pleasures of
sport, if the views you preach were to be accepted, what would become of
keepers and beaters and huntsmen and dog-breeders, and of thousands of
others who directly or indirectly get their living out of hunting and
shooting? Where would game rents be also?"

"I don't know, I am sure," replied the Hare wearily. "I suppose
that they would earn their living in some other way, as they must in
countries where there is no sport, and that you would have to make up
for shooting rents by growing more upon the land. You know that after
all we hares and the other game eat a great deal which might be saved if
there were not so many of us. But I am not wise, and I have never looked
at the question from that point of view. It may seem selfish, but I have
to consider myself and the creatures whose cause I plead, for something
inside me is telling me now--yes, now--that all of them are speaking
through my mouth. It says that is why I am allowed to be here and to
talk with you both; for their sakes rather than for my own."

"If you have more to say you had better say it quickly," I interrupted,
addressing the Red-faced Man. "I see that the Lights are beginning to
change, which means that soon the Road will be closed and the Gates
opened."

"I can't remember anything," he answered. "Yes, there is one matter," he
added nervously. "I see, Mr. Hare, that you are thinking of my boy Tom,
not very kindly I am afraid. As you have been so good as to forgive me I