Prince rolled over, shook himself, and jumped up on the bed, wondering
what was the reason of this summons.

Betty sat up with flushed cheeks and bright eyes. 'Come here. Prince!
Now beg! that's right. Now say a prayer; just a very little one. I
pray for you, darling, every night; but you're big enough to pray
yourself. God will know your language if you speak to Him, and you can
just speak secret to Him--I do often. Now, Prince--no--don't lick my
hand, and keep your tail still. I wish you'd shut your eyes. I'll put
my hand over them--there! Now Prince, ask God to give you a soul, and
forgive your sins, and take you to heaven when you die.'

Betty bent her head in silence; whilst for two minutes Prince kept
perfectly still; then she took her little hands from his eyes, and he
gave a quick short bark of delight, perhaps in anticipation of a lump
of sugar for this new trick taught him. If so, he was disappointed, he
was only kissed and put back into his basket. And Betty laid her
little head on the pillow, but only half satisfied. 'O God,' she
murmured sleepily, 'if Prince hasn't prayed properly, please forgive
him, and give him a soul and make him a good dog, for Jesus Christ's
sake. Amen.'

CHAPTER XI

A Daring Feat

It was a hot afternoon in July. The children had tired themselves out
with play, and were resting under some shady trees near the farm. By
and bye Betty wandered off into a neighbouring cornfield, and resting
her head against an old log of wood in the corner of it, went fast
asleep, whilst Prince sat at her feet, keeping a faithful watch over
his little mistress. Mr. Russell, sauntering through a footpath in the
field, came up and looked at them; and his artist's eye was at once
charmed with the picture they made. He stood, and taking out his
sketch-book, drew a rapid outline of Betty's little figure as she lay
there, one hand grasping some red poppies, and the other arm thrown
behind her curly head. Prince was also sketched; and then Betty awoke.
She looked confused at first, then jumped to her feet.

'Don't be frightened,' said Mr. Russell gravely. 'Do you live near
here?'

Betty pointed out the farm.

'And do you think you would be allowed to come to my house one day, for
me to make a picture of you?'

Betty coloured with pleasure.

'I'll ask nurse. All by myself?'

'All by yourself--at least with your dog. Where is your nurse? Would
she come out here to speak t