‘I hope not.’
‘No, Sir, I did not; though I am poor and ugly, I thank God I am honest.’
‘That’s a good lad; but where did you get the dog?’
‘He came to me, Sir.’
‘Came to you! that is very unlikely.’
‘Sir, I would not tell a lie for the world.’
‘I admire your integrity; but I wish to know how you got the dog.’
‘Sir, I will tell you. Some vicious boys had one day tied an old kettle to the tail of the poor animal, who, frightened and tormented, ran up and down till I thought he would go mad. Enraged at their barbarity, I stripped off my ragged jacket, and getting all the stones together I could hold, pelted the boys so stoutly, that most of them ran away. The cruel are always cowards, Sir; so I had not much trouble in fighting the rest. I mastered three of them, and bore the poor animal away out of their reach. When I had relieved Rover’s bleeding tail, he licked my hands in gratitude. I kissed and cried over him, for I was used to being ill treated myself, Sir. Rover seemed determined not to leave me; and if it had been my last morsel, I could not have refused him the bit of meat which I had put away in paper for my supper. Well, Sir, I never found an owner for Rover; so I have kept him ever since. Many people have tried to decoy him away from me, and he fares badly enough, poor fellow; yet he would starve rather than he would leave me; and it makes my heart ache to see his ribs almost clinging together.’
“Theodore could not restrain his tears at this simple, touching tale. He was affected by the magnanimity and sensibility which this poor child of nature displayed, and was for some moments incapable of making any reply. At length he inquired of Barnaby whether he would sell his dog?—‘I have half-a-guinea in my pocket,’ said he, ‘and if you will let me have Rover, it shall be yours. You may be assured also that I will do more for you when I have the power.’
‘You are a generous young gentleman, Sir,’ said Barnaby, ‘and I always loved you, because you looked so tender, and never joined the other boys in hooting at me. If I could do without my dog, you should have him, for I am sure he would be better off with you; but indeed, Sir, I cannot bear to part with him. I hope you will not be angry with me.’