n he could
not choke back a little catching sob as he spoke.

"Well, then, look here," said his father; "if you will promise me to
take entire charge of it, and never to trouble Andrew, or call him away
from his work to attend to it, you shall have the pig. But if I find
that it is neglected in any way, I shall send it back at once to Farmer
Hatchard. Is that a bargain?"

"Oh, yes, indeed," cried the delighted David; and he ran out to tell the
result of his interview to the anxious children waiting outside the
study door.

So David was to have the pig; and, with the assistance of Ambrose and a
few words of advice from Andrew, he at once began to prepare a
habitation for it. Fortunately there was an old sty still in existence,
which only wanted a little repairing, and everything was soon ready.
But the rearing of the Antony pig still hung trembling in the balance,
and some anxious weeks were passed by David; he called to inquire after
it as often as he possibly could, and, to his great joy, found it on
each occasion more lively and thriving--thanks to Mrs Hatchard's
devoted care.

And at last the long-wished-for day arrived. Antony was driven to his
new home with a string tied round his leg, in the midst of a triumphal
procession of children, and David's joy and exultation were complete.

There was certainly no danger of his neglecting his charge, or of asking
anyone to assist him in its service; never was pig so well cared for as
Antony, and as time went on he showed an intelligent appreciation of
David's attentions not unmixed with affection. Perhaps in consequence
of these attentions he soon developed much shrewdness of character, and
had many little humorous ways which were the pride of his master's
heart. The two were fast friends, and seemed to understand each other
without the need of speech, though David had been known to talk to his
pig when he believed himself to be in private. As for the _selling_
part of the plan, it seemed quite to have faded away, and when Andrew
said with a grin:

"Well, young master, t'pig 'ull soon be ready for market noo," David got
quite hot and angry, and changed the subject at once.

On rare occasions Antony was conducted, making unctuous snorts of
pleasure, into the field to taste a little fresh grass and rout about
with his inquisitive nose; but the garden was of course forbidden
ground. Therefore, when he was once discovered in the act of enjoying
himself amongst