that; he ran backwards and forwards on his ledge, sniffing and whining, wagging his tail and giving short, piteous barks in a state of the wildest excitement. The reason of it was this: near the end of the front row he saw a little girl who was bending eagerly forward with her pretty gray eyes wide open and a puzzled line on her forehead. 51. Dandy knew her at the very first glance. It was Hilda, looking more like a fairy princess than ever. She knew him almost as soon, for her clear voice rang out above the general laughter: "Oh, that isn't Toby-he's my own dog, my Dandy, that I lost! It is, really! Let him come to me, please do! Don't you see how badly he wants to?" 52. There was a sudden surprised silence at this, even Mr. Punch was quiet for an instant; but as soon as Dandy heard her voice, he could wait no longer and crouched for a spring. "Catch the dog, somebody, he's going to jump!" cried the master of the house, more amused than ever, from behind. 53. Jem was too sulky to interfere, but some goodnatured grown-up person caught the trembling dog just in time to save him from a broken leg, or worse, and handed him to his delighted little mistress. I think the joy which Dandy felt as he was clasped tightly in her loving arms once more and covered her flushed face with his eager kisses, more than made up for all he had suffered. 54. Hilda refused to have anything to do with Jem, who tried hard to convince her she was mistaken. She took her recovered favorite to her hostess. "He really is mine!" she assured her earnestly; "and he doesn't want to be a Toby, I'm sure he doesn't see how he trembles when that horrid man comes near! Dear Mrs. Lovibond, please tell them I'm to have him!" 55. And of course Hilda carried her point; for the showmen were not unwilling, after a short conversation with the master of the house, to give up their rights in a dog that would never be much of an ornament to their profession and was out of health into the bargain. Hilda held Dandy, all muddy and draggled as he was, fast in her arms all through the remainder of the show, as if she was afraid Mr. Punch might still claim him for his own; and the dog lay there in perfect content. 56. "I think I should like to go home now," she said to her hostess, when Mr. Punch had finally retired. "Dandy is so excited; feel how his heart beats, just there, you know; he ought to be in bed, and I want to tell them all at home so much!" She resisted all entreaties to stay, from several small partners, and she and Dandy drove home together. 57. "Dandy, you're very quiet," she said once. "Aren't you going to tell me you're glad to be mine again?" But Dandy could only wag his tail feebly and look up in her face with a sigh. He had suffered much and was almost worn out, but rest was coming to him at last. I. Dis sem'ble: pretend not to be what one really is. Resign': submit; give up. A bom'i nå ble: hateful. Bär'ba rous: cruel. Im pěn'i tent: not sorry. II. ăn thū'şă ăṣm: joyful excitement. Im pē'ri oŭs: commanding; overbearing. De fi'ant ly: showing a disposition to resist. III. Pěr pět'ü al ly: constantly. To-day BY THOMAS CARLYLE Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881): A Scotch author, who exerted great influence on the religious and political beliefs of his time. His translations and essays on German literature made it for the first time familiar to English readers. He wrote "Sartor Resartus," "The French Revolution," "Heroes and Hero Worship," "Cromwell's Letters and Speeches," "The History of Frederick the Great," and other works. 1. So here hath been dawning Another blue day : Think, wilt thou let it 2. Out of Eternity This new day is born; At night, will return. 3. Behold it aforetime No eye ever did; From all eyes is hid. 4. Here hath been dawning Another blue day; Think, wilt thou let it a före'time before. |