all about it. I was going from my own house to a
friend's a few days ago, walking leisurely, for I was in no hurry, and
had not far to go. It was a quiet time of the day, and not many people
were about. I had made my way across our own square and some short way
down a street opening out of it when my attention was caught by the
sight of a little dog wandering along in an uneasy, rather aimless
manner. He was alone evidently, for there was no one in sight whom he
could be following--an errand boy or two, a postman and I, were, I
think, the only passers-by at the time. And he was far too aristocratic
a little dog to have anything to do with butchers' or bakers' boys. He
was very pretty and well cared for; his soft, flossy coat had evidently
been recently washed and combed, and there was a general air of
healthiness and prosperity about him, though he was neither over-fat nor
pampered-looking. But just now he was clearly in trouble. He ran a few
steps and then looked round him irresolutely; his bright eyes glanced
all about him anxiously. I wondered what was the matter and stopped
short half intending to pat him or speak to him, when suddenly, seeming
to catch sight of me for the first time, he made the first advances by
trotting up to me and sniffing me in an inquiring manner. He liked what
he saw of me; for he gave a little quick friendly bark, and then,
wagging his tail, looked up at me appealingly, ran on a few steps and
then stopped short, looking back to see if I were following him, and
when I did so, again he barked, again he ran on a few steps, and stood
looking back wagging his tail. It was as plain as any spoken words; he
was asking me to do him a service. And thus he led me down the street,
round a corner, and a few steps along another row of houses, where he
stopped in front of a door, looking and wagging his tail, without going
on further. Nobody could have failed to understand him.

"'Here is my home, kind lady. I have got shut out, please to ring the
bell for me.'

"I rang of course, and very quickly the door was opened, and in he
rushed, and, satisfied that he was all right, I was turning away,
when--this is the point of my story--I heard a bustle and fuss just
inside the closing door, my friend's bark, rather vehement this time, a
voice in remonstrance 'what _can_ he want?' then the door opened and out
he sprang again. He looked round eagerly, and as soon as he saw me stood
still on the doorstep, gave a q