a part of the household for many years. Yet another must be
discovered, though, as all agreed, there could never be another like Dan.

Thus it came about that inquiries were made in likely quarters, and a
letter was despatched to one who could be trusted, and who was known the
country over for the dogs he owned.

V

"Yes," came the answer; "I think I have just the dog to suit you. With an
old dog in the house such as you describe, every dog would not do; but
the one I speak of is a _good_ dog, with good manners and a very gentle
disposition. You know that I do not make a practice of selling my dogs,
but you shall have this one for ---- guineas, and I will send him along
any day that may suit you.

"I forgot to say he is well-bred; Postman-Barbara. He is entered as
Murphy."

Two days later a dog's travelling-box was put out on to the platform of a
little country station, and there and then duly opened by the writer.
Lying at the bottom in some hay was a poor, cringing little animal, that
had to be lifted out, and then lay flat upon the platform. In such terror
was he that nothing would induce him to move; and the only way out of the
difficulty was to take him up, while others smiled, and walk out of the
station with him.

At a quiet turn of the road the dog was put down, being somewhat heavy,
when once again he could not be persuaded to walk, or even to stand upon
his feet. Again and again he acted in this way, till at length the house
was reached and he was deposited on a mat by the fire, close to a bowl of
good food.

And this poor little abject was Murphy!--Murphy, the dog with the
pedigree of kings and even emperors; the dog that had run a hare to a
standstill; the dog of the happiest disposition of any one in the kennel,
and that had been the favourite and playmate of the whole great company.
If this was what pedigrees were likely to produce, better to make a clean
sweep of the hereditary principle at once; if this was a picture of a
happy disposition, better to try what chronic depression had to show. A
sorry favourite this. Up to now a suspicion had been entertained that a
playmate should at least be gay. It was all evidently a mistake.

"Murphy!"--Why, this half-starved-looking thing that refused to stir or
eat did not even know his name. If a move was made in his direction, he
hugged the ground closer than before, shifting his chin backwards and
forwards on t