s shaking his
head and talking to himself a little. He hardly seemed to know I was
there, and I believe if the door had been open I could easily have
escaped, for the other man had gone out of the room. But there was no
chance of that; by and by he came back, took me under his arm and went
out into the street again. Where was he going, I wondered. He had talked
of the missus, but if the missus was any friend of his I had no hope
that she would prove agreeable. It was a great surprise, therefore, to
find myself a little later in a large house where there were soft
carpets, and pictures, and flowers, and everything I have been used to
see around me. Not only this, but I was most warmly received by a lady,
who called me a duck, a darling, a love, and a beauty. These familiar
names, which I had been accustomed to hear from my birth, made me feel
somewhat at home, and I began to take comfort. At any rate, I was now
with people who knew how to behave to me, and would treat me with
consideration. I passed the rest of the day, therefore, in peace, though
I still sighed for my own mistress, and had no appetite for the new roll
and cream offered me.

"All my fears returned, however, for to my distress I was sent back to
sleep at the coachman's house, where I passed the night full of anxiety
and the most dismal thoughts. How would all this end? Who can picture my
ecstasy of delight the next morning when I heard the sound of your
mother's voice talking to the coachman below? I need not tell you how
she had succeeded in tracing me through the green-grocer, who had seen
me picked up in the yard, for that you know already. I cannot help
feeling that Bob may have had something to do with my recovery, for I am
sure though rough in his manners he was a well-meaning dog. If so, I am
grateful to him. To end a long story, my dear mistress, I must remark
that I have no longer any wish to know more of the world. It is far too
rough and noisy a place for me, and you need have no fear, therefore,
that I shall try to repeat my experience, or shall ever forget the
lesson taught me by 'my Sunday out'."

THE TOAD IN THE HOLE

"When is she coming?"

"To-morrow."

"Are you glad?"

"No. Are you?"

"I don't care. I wonder how long she will stay. I know Mother said a
week, but I dare say she'll ask her to stay longer as she did last
year."

"Well, I know she'll be tiresome, and I shall be glad when she goes
away."

"I'm going to sl