A Houseful of Girls

n in their somewhat formal promenades certainly robbed them of their formality, and introduced such an element of lively excitement into them as to

f vagabond instincts which such training as he had received, without the su

sh of the whip. He took his own way and did very much what he liked in spite of the animated protests of his mistress. Dora and May went out walking with Tray instead of Tray going on a walk with them, and not infrequently the walk degenerated into an agitated scamper at his heels. The scamper was diversified by a number of ineffectual attempts to reclaim him from forcing his way into back-yards and returning triumphantly with a bo

inveterate sympathy, enjoyed them, though they deranged somewhat her sense of maidenly dignity and decorum. It was to be hoped that

oads. Tray's eccentricities at the present stage of his development were hardly calculated for the comfortable traversing of a succession of streets and lanes. But the cani

instances, where the under part of the house was brick, and the upper-an afterthought-was a projecting storey of wood, the latter was built round the tree, with its branches sheltering the roof in a picturesque, half foreign fashion. Here and there were massive old houses and shops, with some approach to the size and th

where leaves were to be seen, had yellow, russet, and red streaks a

er tints of autumn, the purple of asters and the orange of chrysanthemums setting off the geraniums blossoming o

, were prominent on the pavement. Little market carts, which closely shawled and bonneted elderly women, laden with their market baskets, still found themselves disengaged enough to drive, rattled over the cobble stones. An occasional farm labourer

right" and "eyes left" were the only motion permitted to them, notwithstanding May's frantic signs to them to behold and admire Tray's gambols; a profes

e golden brown of sable furs, the silver gray of rare foxes', and the commoner dim blue o

y, considerably in advance of his

dismay; "you ought really to put that dog

am sure he has been as good as gold to-day. He has not chased a single thing, and he has only

ugh the showrooms? I had much rather go in with you; but neither do I care to en

g down the vengeance of Heaven on the heads of all three. "He soon finds out all he wants when he goes on private expeditions, and then he runs back a

ness is, and turn him out. It will be a les

st quality," not figuratively but literally. The famous oak staircase, with the broad shallow steps and the twisted balustrade, which would not have disgraced a manor house, ran up right in the centre and terminated in a gallery-like a musician's gallery-hung with Turkey carpets, Moorish rugs, and "muslin from the Indies," and from the gallery various work and show rooms opened. It was evident that "Robinson's" was considerably older than the lifetime of the first Robinson-the silk-weaver and wool-stapler who had used it as a mart for his wares

ents; by the clear enunciation and pleasant tones, which could be ringing when necessary, of a cultivated voice that reached the ears of the bystanders. She did not wear the conventional black silk or cashmere of a shop-woman. There might be a lingering protest or a lurking vanity in the myrtle-green gown and the little lace cap, with its tiny n?uds of dark green riband, which she wore instead. One might guess by their dainty decorum and becomingness that Miss Franklin had thought a good deal, and to purpose, about dress, in her day-h

rather listening to a giant of a farmer in a light overcoat and streaming cravat, who, in place of treating the master of "Robinson's" as "a whipper-snapper of a counter-jumper," was behaving to him with the most unsophisticated deference. Yet Tom's under size and pale complexion looked more insignificant than ever beside the mighty thews and sinews and perennial bloom of his customer. In spite of that, Tom Robinson was as undeniably a gentleman in the surroundings, as Mi

Tom, looking do

obinson, sir," remarked the farmer

Tray rushed to his mistress with a boisterously gracious greeting, which did not include the slighte

id, in friendly remonstrance, before he observed who wa

rudeness in going into your shop without being invited; but I do think he knew you again, I am almost sure of it," she said eagerl

ittle more of him," said Tom musingly, biting

nstance of the friendship which he had pressed her to give him in lieu of a warmer feeling. That friendship was not progressing very rapidly, though the world might consider the Millars more in need of friends than when he had begged to make one of the number. But Tom Robinson

ted and their worst apprehensions were fulfilled. A mongrel collie advancing in the opposite direction, with no better qualified guardian than a young servant girl, who had also a perambulator containing a couple of small children to look after, aroused the warlike spirit of Tray. He growled defiance and bristled in every hair, while Dora caught nervously at his elegant morocco collar, which burst asunder in her grasp, and May shrieked agitated soothing endearments to no purpose.

broad red face. She had not the passion for dog-fights entertained by the gamins of the streets, such fights were simply immaterial trifles to her amidst the weightier concerns of her life; and she had seen her master's dog get too many kicks in the

n her agony. "He will kill Tray. Oh! my Tray, my

u'll be bitten,

r don't," said the composed damsel, as if Growle

s for her lack of authority over her four-footed companion. But poor May in her misery was neither logical nor just. She turned on the other with a p

aving off." There was a slight cessation in the hostil

Growler's sponsor defended bot

own and the cruel monster is at his throat. Will no

ded before her eyes, Dora caught sight of a large half-loose stone in the path. "Stand back, May," she gasped, as she tore it up. Dora's face was as white as paper; she was sick with fright and distress; she would fain have shut

ckily for him it was Tray's and not Growler's-and hung on to it like a vice. The "redder" of the combatants, regardless of "the redder's lick," which was likely to be his portion, continued to hold the tail of the now

. "Take care, you'll h

ll heavily into the Dewes, while the man who had brough

ied May, clasping her hands i

, they are swimming like brothers down the stream-that small spitfire of yours is not badly hurt. I told you that you were spoiling him-you ought to make him obey and come to heel, or he will become the torment of yo

g traces of the fray than were to be found in his limping on three legs, a

ed between Tray and his deserts, wisely agreed with the small maid-servant on the judiciousness of immediately

im tenderly home. But in spite of the injuries, for which he was exceedingly s

May was still devoting herself to her rescued treasure. Dora spoke shyly, and ina

for inflicting that wretched dog on you-that is, on your sister. I was sure

t a good thing it was you came up to us! What should we have done without you? Oh! you don't think dear little Tray is lamed for life-do you? Of course that is ever so m

ering amendment on his speech, because he was quick to see that his want of sympathy

off as Horatius Cocles, and he is likely to

l but drowned or worried to death by that great, coarse, rough creature

ould speak-an insolent little rascal, who

e and went, and she kept glancing at the handkerchief

dismay, "There is blood on your handkerchief; I

ression left by the fine teeth of your friend. You would have it that he knew me a

is arm, and made as if she would have dragged him forward. "Father will dress it a

ch ceremony. I am afraid I gave his tail as sharp a pinch as I could administer before I could get at his neck. No, I am not going home with you; than

very different, though Tra

can vouch for that," said Tom. "I have not

May, with a

e could hardly speak, and her face h

dly with his left hand, in lieu of shaking hands with his

emonstrance: "I wish you would come home w

nonsense," he said s

d have been of a hundred times more use than I, bu

scratch to your notice? No, indeed, all that I'll ask of you is never to fling stones at

as Tom Robinson who gave him to me, I don't think the man has ever put a proper value on the dog. But I daresay he w

t from women. Of course, he is nothing to me, but I may be permitted to admire his courage and coolness. No, he will not come, I am sure of that, he is the last man to take advantage of an accident and of his com

rcepting Dr. Millar on his rounds, learning that Dora and May were no wor

rly seen to, he was, to May's intense chagrin and disgust, despatched to a veterinary