"You are right," I said. "There was a plunge, and there was Rover swimming to the help of his little mistress. For a minute it appeared as if the current was carrying her away, and as if he would not reach her in time. How, then, shall I describe her father and her mother's joy when they saw him succeed in doing so, and, seizing her by the dress, bring her safely to the river's bank! No," as Chris looked at me with inquiring eyes, "she was not hurt; only very wet, and very frightened."
"I 'spect she was very, very frightened," Chris said, loudly and eagerly; "and I 'spect she never, never went near the river again,—never again. Did she?"
"No, my darling," Granny said, awakened by his loud and eager tones in time to hear his last question, and sitting up and rubbing her eyes; "she was never such a naughty little girl again. She expressed great sorrow for what had occurred, and she learnt to be more obedient for the future. Indeed, she became so remarkable for her obedience, my pet, that they always called her by the name of 'the obedient little Eliza'."
"Now nice!" Chris remarked with unction. "You've been fast asleep, my Granny," he informed her, with a laugh—pitying and amused.
"Dear, dear, is it possible?" she said.
"Yes, and Miss Beggarley had to finish the story," he continued.
"I'm much obliged to you, my dear, I'm sure," Granny said gratefully.
"I hope I told it as you intended it to be told," I said laughing.
"You told it just as it should have been, I am fully convinced," she answered with gentle politeness; "much better than I should have myself."
"But she never told me what happened to Rover afterwards," put in Chris.