The Barraud children and the Powell children play together and at the the centre of their happy band is Nipper. Nipper understands his family's movements. For example, when there is a general bustle and everyone starts to put their hats and coats on, he leaps onto the third step in the hallway. There, he catches their eye and smiles a doggy smile at the children until, finally, one of them calls out: "Put Nipper's lead on, will you." And someone else obliges. Clip! And they are ready to set off into the streets of Clifton. On Sundays the families go to church, which is not a place for dogs and, by way of explanation, someone calls out to Nipper: "Church, Nipper." And he sinks down onto the wooden step with a moan, watching everyone leave without him. Nipper, with his head between his paws. "Are you all telling the truth?", he thinks. Despite his dislike of religion, Nipper is a morally responsible dog. Above all he...
Left wing commentary from the heart and the head