. Joe worships you, much
as you worship your Maker. Dumb animals live in and for their masters.
They hang on our words and looks, and are dependent on us in almost
every way. For my own part, and looking at it from an earthly point of
view, I wish with all my heart that we may find our dumb friends in
paradise."

"And in the Bible," said Miss Laura, "animals are often spoken of. The
dove and the raven, the wolf and the lamb, and the leopard, and the
cattle that God says are his, and the little sparrow that can't fall to
the ground without our Father's knowing it."

"Still, there's nothing definite about their immortality," said Mr.
Harry. "However, we've got nothing to do with that. If it's right for
them to be in heaven, we'll find them there. All we have to do now is to
deal with the present, and the Bible plainly tells us that 'a righteous
man regardeth the life of his beast.'"

"I think I would be happier in heaven if dear old Joe were there," said
Miss Laura, looking wistfully at me. "He has been such a good dog. Just
think how he has loved and protected me. I think I should be lonely
without him."

"That reminds me of some poetry, or rather doggerel," said Mr. Harry,
"that I cutout of a newspaper for you yesterday;" and he drew from his
pocket a little slip of paper, and read this:

"Do doggies gang to heaven, Dad?
Will oor auld Donald gang?
For noo to tak' him, faither wi' us,
Wad be maist awfu' wrang."

There was a number of other verses, telling how many kind things old
Donald the dog had done for his master's family, and then it closed with
these lines:

"Withoot are dogs. Eh, faither, man,
'Twould be an awfu' sin
To leave oor faithfu' doggie _there_,
He's _certain_ to win in.

"Oor Donald's no like ither dogs,
He'll _no_ be lockit oot,
If Donald's no let into heaven,
I'll no gang there one foot."

"My sentiments exactly," said a merry voice behind Miss Laura and Mr.
Harry, and looking up they saw Mr. Maxwell. He was holding out one hand
to them, and in the other kept back a basket of large pears that Mr.
Harry promptly took from him, and offered to Miss Laura. "I've been
dependent upon animals for the most part of my comfort in this life,"
said Mr. Maxwell, "and I sha'n't be happy without them in heaven. I
don't see how you would get on without Joe, Miss Morris, and I want my
birds, and my snake, and my horse--how can I live without them? They're
almo