? Sure
enough, I did drive Prince down this morning. I entirely forgot him. He
must be standing at the hitching post in front of the store. I'll go
back and get him."

Before this time Prince was quite hungry. He was very tired standing
still so long. He wished he could go home to his stall and eat his
dinner.

Still Farmer Hill did not come for him.

The next time he stepped forward, there was no halter to stop him; so
he kept on walking down the street.

The thought of home and his dinner made him want them very much.

So he began to trot.

Just as Farmer Hill was leaving the house to go after him, Prince
turned into the yard.

"There is Prince now," said father. "He has come home alone."

"But I need the groceries," said mother. "I must have the sugar right
away. One of us will have to drive back after them."

"Sure enough," said father, "I'll go because I am the one who forgot
them."

He started to get into the buggy.

"Why, here are the groceries," said he. "Prince has brought them
home."

[Illustration: WHY ROVER WENT _to_ CHURCH]

VIII

On Sundays at Cloverfield Farm Rover always stayed at home to guard the
place while the family went to church.

Just once, a long time ago, he had followed clear to the church door,
when Mr. Hill had sent him back home.

One Sunday in summer, father hitched the horses to the big carriage and
drove up to the horse block where mother and the children were waiting
for him.

"Did you lock all the doors?" asked father.

"Yes," said mother, "and all the windows too."

"Where is Rover?" asked father.

"He is under the apple tree," said John.

Then they got into the carriage and drove to church--father, John and
Sue on the front seat; mother, Bobby and Baby Betty on the back seat.

Past two farm houses, under the Big Trees, past two more farm houses,
down the little hill and through the village they went to the big stone
church on the brow of the big hill.

After father had driven the horses and carriage under the shed at the
rear of the church, all the family went into church and up the middle
aisle to their pew near the front.

Meanwhile at the farm Rover was having a good nap under the apple tree.

Suddenly he was awakened by the sound of wheels on the gravel drive. Up
he jumped and ran up the driveway to welcome the family home.

But what was his surprise to see a strange horse and carriage and
strange people in the carriage!

"Strangers m