When Mrs. Steiner and the boys returned they found the door locked.

"Run down, Franz, and get the key. I told Fritz to leave it there if he
went out for a walk and the boy took my advice."

Franz soon returned, the door was opened and they entered, Mrs. Steiner
sinking down upon the sofa with the sigh, "Oh, those steps, those
steps!"

"Aunt Fanny, here is a letter upon the table. It is for you, and written
by Fritz," said Paul.

"By Fritz!" laughed Aunt Fanny, "gone out for a walk and left a letter
for me! Read it, Paul."

The boy opened the missive and read, each sentence meeting with comments
from his interested listeners.

"Dear Aunt Fanny: Pixy was not to blame for the dog fight; and the time
he ran into the Council House he was not to blame, because I called
'Pixy! Pixy!' I should have kept my mouth shut."

"The dear Fritz! He is right, but I am sorry he takes it so much to
heart."

"You know, Aunt Fanny, that Pixy is but a dog, and has not a man's
understanding."

"Yes, Fritz, I remember that much of my studies in natural history,"
laughed his aunt.

"I have not as much understanding as a man, either, or I would not have
brought Pixy to Frankfort."

"The boy is certainly right there."

"I am sorry that you stood and held him while we were in the buildings
and you had to run and jump when I called 'Pixy!' If he had not come he
would have been disobedient or stupid; and my father will tell you that
he is neither disobedient nor stupid. You will not have to hold his cord
again."

"Now what does he mean by saying I will not have to stand and hold his
cord again?"

"We are now on our way home," continued Paul, "and papa will be glad to
see me and Pixy."

"For heaven's sake! Has the boy run off?"

"Yes, he must mean that," replied Paul.

"Oh, he is only joking. Run to your room, Franz, and see if he has taken
his knapsack."

"Yes, and his rain-coat is gone. Shall we finish reading the letter?"

"Yes," said Mrs. Steiner with tears in her eyes.

"Dear Aunt Fanny, I thank you for your goodness, and for the mark you
gave me; and want to say that I will never again bring a dog to visit
Frankfort."

"Oh, that boy has made my heart heavy! I feel as if I will never see him
again and it is all Pixy's fault. Is that all?"

"Yes, and oh, Aunt Fanny, I wish we had not been so harsh with Fritz in
regard to Pixy," said Paul.

"Now you are trying to make me more unhappy than I am when I am enough
di