whose every action I took a deep interest.

She was a graceful, gentle little creature, whom I could have knocked
down and trampled upon in a minute; but though my strength was so
superior to hers, there was no one whom I was so ready to obey. A word
or look from Lily managed me completely; and her gentle warning of "Oh,
Captain," has often recalled me to good manners when I was on the point
of breaking out into fury against some obnoxious person. Willing subject
as I was, I yet looked upon myself in some manner as her guardian and
protector, and it would have fared ill with man or beast who had
attempted to molest her.

As I mentioned before, I was not allowed to come much into the
drawing-room; but Lily found many opportunities of noticing me. I always
sat at the foot of the stairs to watch for her as she came down to the
breakfast-room, when she used to pat my head and say, "How do you do,
good Captain? Nice dog," as she passed. Then I wagged my tail, and was
very happy. I think I should have moped half the day if I had missed
Lily's morning greeting. After breakfast she came into the garden, and
brought me pieces of toast, and gave me lessons in what she considered
clever ways of eating. I should have preferred snapping at her gifts and
bolting them down my own throat in my own way; but, to please Lily, I
learned to sit patiently watching the most tempting buttered crust on
the ground under my nose, when she said, "Trust, Captain!" never
dreaming of touching it till she gave the word of command, "Now it is
paid for;" when I ate it in a genteel and deliberate manner. Having
achieved such a conquest over myself, I thought my education was
complete; but Lily had further refinements in store. She made me hold
the piece of toast on my very nose while she counted _ten_, and at the
word _ten_ I was to toss it up in the air, and catch it in my mouth as
it came down. I was a good while learning this trick, for I did not at
all see the use of it. I could smell the bread distinctly as it lay on
my nose, and why I should not eat it at once I never could understand. I
have often peeped in at the dining-room window to see if my master and
mistress ate their food in the same manner; but though I have sometimes
seen them perform my first feat of sitting quietly before their plates,
I never once saw them put their meat on their noses and catch it.
However, it was Lily's pleasure, and that was enough for me.

She also taught me to