Біла пташка
David and Porthos Compared
“Buttomakeanendofthiscomparison,ImentionthatPorthosiseverwishfultoexpressgratitudeformykindnesstohim,sothatlookingupfrommybookIseehismournfuleyesfixeduponmewithapassionateattachment,andthenIknowthatthewell-nighunbearablesadnesswhichcomesintothefaceofdogsisbecausetheycannotsayThankyoutotheirmasters.WhereasDavidtakesmykindnessashisright.Butforthis,whileIshouldchidehimIcannotdoso,forofallthewaysDavidhasofmakingmetolovehimthemostpoignantisthatheexpectsitofmeasamatterofcourse.Davidisallforfun,butnonemayplumbthedepthsofPorthos.NeverthelessIammostnearlydoingsowhenIliedownbesidehimonthefloorandheputsanarmaboutmyneck.Onmysoul,ma’am,aprotectingarm.Atsuchtimesitisasifeachofusknewwhatwasthewantoftheother.
“ThusweighingPorthoswithDaviditwerehardtotellwhichistheworthier.WhereforedoyoukeepyourboywhileIkeepmydog,andsoweshallbothbepleased.”
