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He stopped opposite the child, and the two regarded each
other. The dog hesitated for a moment, but presently he made
some little advances with his tail. The child put out his
hand and called him. In an apologetic manner the dog came
close, and the two had an interchange of friendly pattings
and waggles. The dog became more enthusiastic with each
moment of the interview, until with his gleeful caperings he
threatened to overturn the child. Whereupon the child lifted
his hand and struck the dog a blow upon the head.
This thing seemed to overpower and astonish the little
dark-brown dog, and wounded him to the heart. He sank down
in despair at the child's feet. When the blow was repeated,
together with an admonition in childish sentences, he turned
over upon his back, and held his paws in a peculiar manner.
At the same time with his ears and his eyes he offered a
small prayer to the child.
He looked so comical on his back, and holding his paws
peculiarly, that the child was greatly amused and gave him
little taps repeatedly, to keep him so. But the little
dark-brown dog took this chastisement in the most serious
way, and no doubt considered that he had committed some
grave crime, for he wriggled contritely and showed his
repentance in every way that was in his power. He pleaded
with the child and petitioned him, and offered more prayers.
At last the child grew weary of this amusement and turned
toward home. The dog was praying at the time. He lay on his
back and turned his eyes upon the retreating form.
Presently he struggled to his feet and started after the
child. The latter wandered in a perfunctory way toward his
home, stopping at times to investigate various matters.
During one of these pauses he discovered the little
dark-brown dog who was following him with the air of a
footpad.
The child beat his pursuer with a small stick he had found.
The dog lay down and prayed until the child had finished,
and resumed his journey. Then he scrambled erect and took up
the pursuit again.
On the way to his home the child turned many times and beat
the dog, proclaiming with childish gestures that he held him
in contempt as an unimportant dog, with no value save for a
moment. For being this quality of animal the dog apologized
and eloquently expressed regret, but he continued stealthily
to follow the child. His manner grew so very guilty that he
slunk like an |
