e. I wanted to go out alone, into the busy
street, to stay as long as I liked, to take whatever direction I
fancied, and to join in the amusements of other dogs. In short, I
wanted more freedom; and although I never gave way to temper or became
snappish, I grew more and more discontented with my safe and pleasant
life. I was so closely watched, however, that I could never get an
opportunity for the least little stroll alone, and I began to despair,
when, at last, on Sunday, the chance really came. I was alone in the
hall, Hester opened the door, I slipped out unseen, and there I was--
free!

"It was delightful to find myself alone on the door-step, and to hear
the door shut behind me; not that I did not fully intend to go back, for
I love my mistress and am not ungrateful for the kindness shown me, but
it was so pleasant to think that for a short time I could do just as I
liked. I soon found, however, that this was very far from the case.

"At first I trotted along the pavement in the best spirits, meeting very
few dogs, and those of a very rough kind, so that I did not care to
speak to them. It was, as you remember, a very hot day. The ground
felt quite burning under my feet, and soon I should have been thankful
to be carried a little while. I got thirsty too, and I began to look
about for a shady place where I could lie down and rest out of the sun.
Presently I came to a narrow turning, which looked dark and cool
compared to the bright hot streets. It was quiet too, for there was
only a man in the yard washing a cart, and a rough-coated grey dog
sitting near. I made up my mind to try this, and trotting up to the dog
made a few remarks about the heat of the weather. From his replies I
soon perceived that he was quite a common dog, though very good-natured
in manner, and he shortly told me he belonged to the green-grocer and
that his name was `Bob.'

"We continued to talk, and before long I learnt a good deal about his
way of life, which interested me extremely from its great contrast to my
own. In spite of its hardships there was something attractive about it
too, though quite out of the question for anyone of delicacy and
refinement. For Bob was a working dog. He had to be at Covent Garden
by daybreak with his master, to go on all his rounds with him, and to
take care of the vegetables in the cart while he called at the different
houses.

"`And what do you get for all that?' I asked.

"`I get my f