No doubt," replied my master. "On what day did we miss the dog?"

"Four days ago, sir, after I told you how he was moping. He must have
found his way all alone to the Manor, and brought the other back with
him. It beats every thing that ever _I_ heard."

"He must, indeed. Wonderful!" said my master.

"To be sure I did," thought I. "Where is the wonder?"

But as we were very hungry, we left John and our master to express their
surprise to each other, while we turned our steps towards the kitchen.
Even there, before we got any dinner, we were doomed to encounter a
sharp fire of exclamations from the servants; and really such incessant
expressions of amazement began to be almost mortifying. Approbation is
pleasant enough, but astonishment gives the idea that people had not
thought one capable of even one's own little good deeds. However, we
bore it all with good humour, and were soon caressed and fed to our
complete satisfaction.

The rest of our story may be told in a few words. Puss was soon
domesticated on her London hearth, and pursuing her avocations with her
customary skill and spirit. She was a universal favourite, though just
at first she had to endure a little gossip about her history and
appearance; some pronouncing her to be very pretty, others seeing
nothing particular in her worth so much trouble. But in due time her
reputation was firmly established as the prettiest cat and the best
mouser in the neighbourhood.

While she made herself useful in her department, I was not idle in mine;
and I think I may safely say that no house could boast of a more
faithful and vigilant guardian. It was difficult to determine which of
us was most useful to our master; Puss in preserving his property from
"rats and mice and such small deer," or I, in keeping off larger
depredators. Our joint business was to take care of the house, and
thorough care we took, and thoroughly were our services appreciated and
rewarded. Welcome guests on kitchen hearthstone or on drawing-room rug,
treated as pets by the servants, as friends by our master, and agreeable
company by his acquaintances, no animals have ever passed a happier
life. Lily has often been to see us; and next to the pleasure of being
once more caressed by her own hand, was that of hearing our story told
to her husband by her own lips, and our friendship mentioned with
approbation to her little son.

* * * * *

It may seem absurd to suppo