uch
an eager way that the sounds produced might be described as an
intermittent scream. He charged at once with characteristic want of
consideration, and, plunging headlong into Alice's bosom, sought to
cover her face with kisses; that is, with _licks_, that being the
well-known canine method of doing the thing!

"O Toozle! how glad, glad, glad, I am to see you! my own darling
Toozle!" cried Alice, actually shedding tears.

Toozle screamed with delight. It was almost too much for him. Again and
again he attempted to lick her face, a familiarity which Alice gently
declined to permit; so he was obliged to content himself with her hand.

It has often struck us as surprising, that little dogs--usually so
intelligent and apt to learn in other matters--should be so dull of
apprehension in this. Toozle had the experience of a lifetime to
convince him that Alice objected to have her face licked, and would on
no account permit it, although she was extremely liberal in regard to
her hands; but Toozle ignored the authority of experience. He was at
this time a dog of mature years; but his determination to kiss Alice was
as strong as it had been when, in the tender years of his infancy, he
had entertained the mistaken belief that she was his own mother.

He watched every unguarded moment to thrust forward his black, not to
say impertinent, little snout; and although often reproved, he still
remained unconvinced, resolutely returned to the charge, and was not a
bit ashamed of himself.

On the present occasion, Toozle behaved like a canine lunatic, and Alice
was beginning to think of exercising a little tender violence in order
to restrain his superabundant glee, when another individual appeared on
the scene, and for a time, at least, relieved her.

The second comer was our dark friend, Kekupoopi. She by some mischance
had got separated from her young mistress, and immediately went in
search of her. She found her at once, of course; for, as water finds its
level, so love finds its object, without much loss of time.

"O Toozle!--bee! hee!--am dat you?" exclaimed Poopy, who was as much
delighted in her way to see the dog as Alice had been.

Toozle was, in his way, as much delighted to see Poopy as he had been
to see Alice;--no, we are wrong, not quite so much as that, but still
extremely glad to see her, and evinced his joy by extravagant sounds and
actions. He also evinced his scorn for the opinion that some foolish
persons ho