“Of course not. No one would believe that, but you must admit that you are young.”
“So much the better. I decided at once that I should lose no time, therefore I have been making ready. To-day I came to make my adieux to my cousins and my friends here. In passing I will say that I also had in mind the gift for my young cousin, that gift which her grandmother will not permit her to accept. Madame Le Brun declares it shall not have house-room nor even out-of-house-room.”
“It must be a queer sort of gift.”
“Not so queer. Wait, I will show you. Stand where you are and you shall behold.” He scrambled down the other side of the wall while Lucie stood expectantly. Presently above the wall appeared first a pair of ears, then two bright eyes, then the entire head of a very alert and inquisitive little dog, which looked around interestedly.
“O, Victor,” exclaimed Lucie, “what a darling!”
“Speak, Pom Pom,” said Victor over the wall, and a quick sharp bark from Pom Pom replied.
Victor’s head again appeared above the vines. He took the little dog under his arm.
“And you are going to give Annette that adorable little dog,” said Lucie.
“I was going to give it to her, but now I am not permitted to do so.”
“Then shall you take it to camp as a mascot?”