in patient melancholy.

Late in the afternoon, there came a sound of wheels in the drive. Hannah
and Anne Chitt, decorous in black dresses and clean aprons, came into
the hall and opened the front door, and in three minutes William knew
that happier times were in store for him. The "station-fly" stopped at
the door, and regardless of Hannah's reproving voice he rushed out to
welcome the strangers. Two children, nice children, who appeared as glad
to see him as he was to see them, who wished him many happy returns of
his birthday--William had forgotten it was his birthday--and were as
lavish with pats and what little Fay called "stlokes" as Hannah had been
niggardly. There were also two young ladies, who addressed him kindly
and seemed pleasantly aware of his existence, and William liked young
ladies, for the three Miss Walcotes had thoroughly spoiled him. But he
decided to attach himself most firmly to the children and the very small
young lady. Perhaps they would stay. In his short experience grown
people had a cruel way of disappearing. There was that tall young man
... William hardly dared let himself think about that tall young man who
had allowed him to lie upon his bed and was so kind and jolly. "Master"
William had called him. Ah, where was he? Perhaps he would come back
some day. In the meantime here were plenty of people to love. William
cheered up.

[Illustration: William rushed out to welcome the strangers. Two ... nice
children.]

He wished to ingratiate himself, and proceeded to show off his one
accomplishment. With infinite difficulty and patience the Miss Walcotes
had taught him to "give a paw"; so now, on this first evening, William
followed the children about solemnly offering one paw and then the
other; a performance which was greeted with acclamation.

When the children went to the bathroom he somehow got shut outside. So
he lay down and breathed heavily through the bottom of the door and
varied this by thin, high-pitched yelps--which were really squeals, and
very extraordinary as proceeding from such a large and heavy dog.

"William wants to come in," Tony said. He still always accompanied his
sister to the bath.

Meg was seized with an inspiration. "I know why," she exclaimed. "He
expects to see little Fay in the big bath."

Fay looked from Meg to her brother and from her brother to Meg.

Another dismal squeal from under the door.

"Does he tluly espect it?" she asked anxiously.

"I thi