# File lib/rspec/mocks/any_instance/recorder.rb, line 43
        def stub_chain(method_name_or_string_chain, *args, &block)
          if period_separated_method_chain?(method_name_or_string_chain)
            first_method_name = method_name_or_string_chain.split('.').first.to_sym
          else
            first_method_name = method_name_or_string_chain
          end
          observe!(first_method_name)
          message_chains.add(first_method_name, chain = StubChainChain.new(method_name_or_string_chain, *args, &block))
          chain
        end