ion.

The boy was not disposed to admit that he had no real claim upon the
dog, save such as might result from having found him homeless and
friendless in the street; but willing that the girl should admire his
pet yet more.

"Put him on the floor an' see how much he knows," Seth said, without
replying to her question.

Then Snip was called upon to show his varied accomplishments. He sat
bolt upright holding a wisp of straw in his mouth; walked on his hind
feet with Seth holding him by one paw; whirled around and around on
being told to dance; leaped over the handle of the hay-fork, barking
and yelping with excitement; and otherwise gave token of being very
intelligent.

Gladys was in an ecstasy of delight, and even the little woman so far
overcame her fear of animals as to venture to touch Snip's
outstretched paw when he gravely offered to "shake hands."

Not until at least a quarter of an hour had passed was any particular
attention paid to Seth, and by this time Aunt Hannah was willing to
admit that while dogs in general frightened her, however peaceable
they appeared to be, she thought a little fellow like Snip might be
almost as companionable as a cat.

"Of course you won't continue your journey until after breakfast," she
said in a matter-of-fact tone, "and Gladys will take you into the
kitchen where you can wash your face and hands, while I am milking."

Then it was that Seth observed a bright tin pail and a three-legged
stool lying on the ground just outside the big door, as if they had
fallen from the little woman's hands when she was alarmed by hearing
Snip's note of defiance and warning.

Gladys had the dog in her arms, and nodding to Seth as if to say he
should follow, she led the way to the house, while Aunt Hannah
disappeared through a doorway opening from the main portion of the
barn.

"There's the towel, the soap and water," she said, pointing toward a
wooden sink in one corner of what was to Seth the most wonderful
kitchen he had ever seen. "Don't you think Snippey would like some
milk?"

"I'm certain he would," Seth replied promptly. "He hasn't had anything
except dry ginger cake since yesterday mornin'."

A moment later Master Snip had before him a saucer filled with such
milk as it is safe to say he had not seen since Seth took him in
charge, and the eager way in which he lapped it showed that it was
appreciated fully.

The fugitive did not make his toilet immediately, because of the