I know when discretion is the better part of valour . Firmly clasping William Adolphus , I ran -- not to the door , because the dog was between me and it , but to a big , low-branching cherry tree at the back corner of the house . I reached it in time and no more . First thrusting William Adolphus on to a limb above my head , I scrambled up into that blessed tree without stopping to think how it might look to Alexander Abraham if he happened to be watching . My time for reflection came when I found myself perched half way up the tree with William Adolphus beside me . William Adolphus was quite calm and unruffled . I can hardly say with truthfulness what I was . On the contrary , I admit that I felt considerably upset . The dog was sitting on his haunches on the ground below , watching us , and it was quite plain to be seen , from his leisurely manner , that it was not his busy day . He bared his teeth and growled when he caught my eye . `` You LOOK like a woman hater 's dog , '' I told him . I meant it for an insult ; but the beast took it for a compliment . Then I set myself to solving the question , `` How am I to get out of this predicament ? '' It did not seem easy to solve it . `` Shall I scream , William Adolphus ? '' I demanded of that intelligent animal . William Adolphus shook his head . This is a fact . And I agreed with him . `` No , I shall not scream , William Adolphus , '' I said .
`` There is probably no one XXXXX hear me except Alexander Abraham , and I have my painful doubts about his tender mercies .
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