"No," the judge spoke very firmly, "I'm not fooling, Shorty. You are going to get your chance."
They saw Shorty fling himself down on his knees beside Prince Jan and pull the dog close to him, while racking sobs shook the boy's shoulders. Jan twisted around to lick Shorty's face and comfort him, for the dog did not know his friend was crying from happiness. At last Shorty rose to his feet, brushing away the tears with his ragged coat sleeve.
"Judge, I promise you I'll make good or I'll die in the trying," he said, and all those who heard him knew he would do his best.
The judge stepped down from the big chair and put his hand on the boy's shoulder, saying in a kindly voice, "You're bound to make good, Shorty, and we are all your friends!"
The other men shook Shorty's hand, and the judge said, with a smile, "I have a nice collie pup up at my home that I will give you, if Mr. Melville doesn't object."
"We have no dog, now that Prince Jan is gone," the artist answered quickly, "and I promised my wife that I would bring back some kind of a dog for the children. They would be lonesome now, without one. So the pup will be just as welcome as Shorty will be."
Shorty forgot this man was a judge, and smiled at him, asking, "What's the pup's name, please?"
"He is a registered pup with a long fancy name, but we just call him 'Pup,' so you can pick out a name to suit yourself."
"I'm going to call him 'Prince Jan'!" announced the boy, and all agreed that it was a fine name for any pup.
They shook hands once more with Shorty and wished him good luck, and when the boy walked from the room, he held his head high. A smile was on his lips and hope in his eyes. Mr. Melville walked beside him.