Down stairs she trudged again, and reported to her sister, who good-naturedly went to the library, since Mabel was forbidden there, and came back with her father’s consent to use the things for decoration.
Mabel was repaid for all her work when Harold, upon being ushered into the room, exclaimed: “Why this doesn’t look like a girl’s room. See those foils and those boxing gloves. It looks like some of the officer’s rooms. This is great!”
“And where is Don going to sleep?” asked Alice.
Harold’s countenance fell. “He always sleeps at the foot of my bed,” he replied, fondling his dog, who looked up wistfully, not understanding all these changes.
Mrs. Ford looked a little dubious.
“He’s very good and quiet,” said Harold, eagerly. “He never makes any noise or gives a bit of trouble. He minds every word I say to him.”
“Well, we will let him try it for a night;” agreed Mrs. Ford, “and if he behaves well there is no reason why he shouldn’t do as he has been in the habit of doing.” And Harold’s heart was completely won.
Indeed, a few days after this, Don proved himself entirely worthy of the confidence placed in him; for Mrs. Ford, hearing Alice cry out: “Oh, mother, come quick!” ran to the nursery, where she found her eldest daughter sitting on the floor, one arm around little Louie, and the other around Don, while she alternately kissed Louie’s golden head and Don’s black one, murmuring in an agitated voice: “Oh, dear little sister! Oh, Don! oh, Don!”
“Why, Alice, what in the world is the matter?” exclaimed Mrs. Ford.
“Oh, mother, mother, that blessed dog has saved our darling baby’s life,” said Alice, looking up with tears in her eyes. “Maria left Louie just for a moment, while she went down to get her milk, and asked me if I would watch her till she came back, and when I had come in she had climbed up to the window.” There was a catch in Alice’s voice and she hugged the little one closer, then she went on: “Louie had climbed up to the window, and was hanging half way out with Don holding tight to her dress with his teeth. But for him, she must fallen out and have been killed. Oh, good, brave doggie!”