was to Booty the one aim and object of
life, for whose special delectation and delight he had been created.
Mrs. Ross always said it made her quite miserable to see Booty when
Michael was away, and, indeed, Michael never dared to leave him for many
days together. If anything had happened to his master the little animal
would have pined and fretted himself to death.

'I suppose no one will ever love me as that creature does,' Michael once
observed to Audrey; 'he has simply no will or life of his own. What a
faithful friend a dog is! I believe Booty understands me better than
most people. We have long conversations together sometimes--I talk, and
Booty answers by signs.'

Audrey enjoyed her walk, but she was afraid Booty was tired and would
need a long rest. When they reached Vineyard Cottage she found Mrs.
Baxter mending stockings in the porch.

'Father has gone out for a little stroll, Miss Ross,' she said, rising,
with her usual subdued smile. 'He will be back directly. Will you come
into the parlour and rest?'

'I would rather stay here,' returned Audrey. 'I am so fond of this
pretty old porch, and this bench is so comfortable. Booty is tired, Mrs.
Baxter; he has been fretting because his master chose to go up to London
to-day, and his low spirits have made him languid. Look at him when I
say Michael--there!' as the dog started and sat up eagerly; 'he knows
his name, you see.'

'Poor thing! He is as intelligent as a Christian--more intelligent than
some Christians I know. The ways of Providence are strange, Miss Ross,
putting a loving heart into an animal like that, and leaving some human
beings without one--unless it be a heart of stone;' and here Mrs. Baxter
sighed heavily and snapped her thread.

'I hope things have been quiet lately,' observed Audrey, taking off her
hat.

'You mean, if Joe has been behaving himself?--which is a question I can
thankfully answer at present. Joe has not been troubling me again, Miss
Ross. I think father frightened him that time. Joe was always a coward;
it is an evil conscience that makes him a coward. There is nothing else
so frights a man. Joe couldn't treat a woman as he has treated me
without feeling his conscience prick him sometimes.'

'No, indeed, Mrs. Baxter. Let us hope that he will repent some day.'

'I tell father his repentance will come too late. We can't sow tares and
reap wheat in this world, Miss Ross. "The wicked flee when no man
pursueth." I always think