attempt to argue the question. That afternoon, when
the doctor came, she asked:

"Isn't there something else we can feed her on, doctor?"

He pondered for a moment. "Well, she seems to be improving a little,
and if we could get a bird or a rabbit we might make her some broth out
of that."

"I think rabbit broth would be delicious," cried Beth rapturously.

Mrs. Davenport said:

"We'll send January to town to see if we can get a rabbit or a quail."

An hour later January returned and reported: "Dere ain't no rabbit or
no bird in de market, Miss Mary."

Beth was very much disappointed, but was pacified, however, by the
assurance that darkies would be sent out to hunt rabbits in the
morning. She even consented to take a little rice gruel, cheered by
the prospects of having something better on the morrow.

In the morning, when the darkies were ready for hunting rabbits, Mrs.
Davenport said to Duke:

"Go with them, old fellow. Perhaps you can chase a rabbit down for
your little mistress. She wants a rabbit very, very much."

He seemed to understand, for he rose and went with the hunters. Rabbit
hunting was his favorite pastime. Therefore he displayed the first
signs of joy that he had shown since Beth's sickness. He bounded
lightly across the fields, sniffing the ground expectantly.

At first the darkies were encouraged by his manner, and followed him on
and on. When, however, they had gone many miles, and most of the
forenoon passed without Duke's scaring up a single rabbit for them,
they became discouraged. In fact, they returned to the house and
reported their ill-luck to Mrs. Davenport.

"I reckon dis ain't time for rabbits. We didn't see a single one all
dis time."

"Where is Duke?" asked Mrs. Davenport.

The darkies grinned. "Oh, dat fool dog, he ain't no sense at all. We
tried to get him to come wid us, but he went on sniffin' as if he was
jes' bound to have a rabbit, even when dar ain't none."

"Well," said Mrs. Davenport, with feeling, "I only wish you had half
the perseverance of Duke. If he could understand like you, he would go
until he dropped before he'd give up."

She therefore had to go to Beth and report their failure. The poor
child cried and cried, she was so very much disappointed.

"I'll--I'll starve, and I'm so terribly hungry," she moaned.

"Dearie, if you'll only take some gruel, I'll get you the most
beautiful doll you ever saw, or a ring, or anything you wish."