“Yes, ma’am, my master, the Lord Chesterfield, will have it, though I’d much rather bark; and he makes us eat at the table out of plates, and cut our food with knives and forks, when I think a marrow-bone to gnaw, out in the court-yard, is as nice again; but he says gnawing bones is perfectly dreadful, and we must learn to eat politely.”
“Well, that is very funny! I shall tell about it as soon as I get home.”
So the nurse hastened away, with the pretty child, and was soon telling the frightened mother how little Lucy had run away from her, and tumbled into the river, and how the beautiful spaniel, who could talk like a Christian, had saved her life.
The grateful mother went out the next morning and bought a splendid gold collar, and had this inscription engraved upon it: “For the noble and brave dog Beppo, who saved little Lucy’s life.”
When the parcel came, the little bustling old gentleman opened it, and reading the words on the gold collar, called Beppo to him.
“Why, only look at this splendid collar, my good fellow,” he cried; “why did you not tell me of your adventure?”
“I only did my duty,” Beppo modestly answered.
“Ah! I am quite proud of you. I shall give you a dinner-party, and you shall carry round the invitations yourself.”
“May I invite little golden-haired Lucy?” asked Beppo. “I should like to so much.”