The dog capered like a frivolous cow, flopped his ears, and exhibited himself in a cheerful, well-meaning way.
'If ye'd rather, laddie, the dog will bring ye home,' continued the man.
'Skite!' said Dick, with sullen scorn; but he went quietly after that.
At the house they were met by Christina Shine, and Dick blushed furiously under her gaze of mild surprise. Christina had been a member of the Summers household for over five years, ever since the death of her mother, and had won herself a position there, something like that of a beloved poor relation with light duties and many liberties.
'Dickie, Dickie, what have you been doing this time?' asked Miss Chris.
'Robbin' my fruit-trees, my dear. What might we do with him, d'ye think?'
Miss Chris thought for a minute with one finger pressed on her lip.
'We might let him go,' she said, with the air of one making rather a clever suggestion.
'Na, na, na; we canna permit such crimes to go unpunished.'
'Poor boy, perhaps he's very fond of cherries,' said Chris in extenuation.