word of the day: doss

word of the day: doss

Miss Bianca and Bernard have always mounted their rescues together, being the main actors in the Mouse Prisoners’ Aid Society. But Miss Bianca has gone with her human family on a salutary excursion to the ski slopes, so when an elderly mouse shows up to beg their help with his darling human mistress, it is only Bernard who can heed the call.

When the entreater expresses doubt about Bernard’s ability, Bernard retorts,

“I’ve had more experience in prisoner-rescuing than you seem to realize. I don’t suppose a few hours [delay in beginning] will make any difference; you doss down where you are [on the couch] and I’ll go back to bed.”

For [Bernard] always believed in getting a good night’s rest before any unusual enterprise, and if possible a good breakfast as well.

definition (Merriam-Webster): chiefly British

to sleep or bed down in a convenient place —usually used with down

We’ve encountered doss before as part of the compound doss-house. 

source:

Bernard the Brave

by Margery Sharp

illustrated by Leslie Morrill

1977. Little, Brown & Co., Boston