," in his German picture-book.
Almost, as he gazed at them, it seemed to Ted that the figure of the
scissors man would suddenly dart out from among the bushes and seize
his property.

"But him wouldn't cut _Ted's_ fumbs," thought the little man to himself,
"'cos Ted _never_ sucks zem. What a pity the scissors is sticked fast!
Poor David can't cut with zem. P'raps Ted could oilen zem for poor
David! Ted will go and get some fissy oil."

No sooner thought than done. Up jumped Ted, and was starting off to
the house when a growl from Cheviott made him stop. The dog had just
awakened, and seeing his little master setting off somewhere thought it
his business to inquire where to and why. He lifted his head and gave it
a sort of sleepy shake, then growled again, but gently of course.

"What did thoo say, Chevie?" said Ted. "Did thoo want to know where I
was going? Stay here, Chevie. Ted will be back in a minute--him's on'y
going to get some fissy oil to oilen poor David's scissors."

And off he set, though a third growl from Cheviott followed him as he
ran.

"What does Chevie mean?" thought Ted. "P'raps him's thinking muzzer said
Ted mustn't touch zem big scissors. But muzzer on'y meant Ted wasn't to
cutten with zem. Muzzer would _like_ Ted to help poor David," and, his
conscience quite at rest, he trotted on contentedly.

CHAPTER III.

WISHES AND FEARS.

_Children._ "Here are the nails, and may we help?
_Jessie._ You shall if I should want help.
_Children._ Will you want it then?
Please want it--we like helping."

There was no one in the nursery, fortunately for Ted's plans.
_Un_fortunately rather, we should perhaps say, for if nurse had been
there, she would have asked for what he wanted the little bottle which
had held the cod-liver oil, that he had lately left off taking, but of
which a few drops still remained.

Ted climbed on to a chair and reached the shelf where it stood, and
in two minutes he was off again, bottle in hand, in triumph. He found
Cheviott lying still, where he had left him; he looked up and yawned
as Ted appeared, and then growled with an air of satisfaction. It was
sometimes a little difficult for Chevie to decide exactly how _much_
care he was to take of Ted. After all, a little two-legged boy that
could talk was not _quite_ the same as a lamb, or even a sheep. He
could not run round him barking, to prevent his trotting where he
wished--there were plainly som