"I suppose it is. My name is Una Manners—what is yours?"
"I am called Nellie—Nellie Maple," the elder little girl explained, "and she," pointing to her sister, "is Bessie!"
"I think Nellie and Bessie are pretty names! Oh, are you going already? Can't you stay and talk to me a little longer?"
"We should like to, but we should be late for school if we did, and that would never do," Nellie replied, "but perhaps we shall see you another day!"
"Very likely. I will be on the look-out for you. This is my dog 'Crack.' Are you fond of dogs?"
"Oh, yes," both children answered; and Bessie added: "We have a dear old sheep-dog called 'Rags.'"
"I should like to see him! Oh, must you really go now? Good-bye!"
The little girls ran off and were soon out of sight. Una, after watching them till they disappeared, opened the gate, and strolled into the road. As she went along she gathered a bunch of primroses and a few white violets to take home to her father.
Presently she heard a sheep-dog barking, and coming to a gateway saw a man crossing the field towards her, bearing in his arms a little white lamb that bleated pitifully, whilst a rough old English sheep-dog rushed towards her growling and snarling.
Una drew back hastily with a cry of alarm, and Crack, who was close at her heels, gave a sharp, indignant bark. The man called to his dog, and the well-trained animal returned obediently to his side, looking up into his master's face for further instructions.