“Just the same, sir,” said Ruth, honestly. “But I hope you will tell me who the man is you sold Tom Jonah to, so that we can go to him and buy the dog.”
“Do you girls really want old Tom Jonah as much as that?” asked Mr. Reynolds.
“Yes, sir,” said the girl, simply.
“Willing to buy the old rascal? And he’s nothing but a tramp.”
“He’s a gentleman. You said so yourself on his collar,” said Ruth.
The man looked at her seriously and nodded. “I guess you think a whole lot of him, eh?”
“A great deal, sir,” admitted Ruth.
“Well! I guess I’ll have to tell you,” said the man, smiling. “Old Tom evidently thinks more of you girls than he does of me. Tell you what: After I got home the other day I thought it over. I reckon Tom Jonah’s chosen for himself. I paid my brother-in-law back the money he gave me for him. So you won’t be bothered again about him.”
“Oh, sir——”
“You keep him. Rather, let Tom Jonah stay as long as he wants to. But if he comes back to me I sha’n’t let him go again. No! I don’t want money for him. I guess the old dog likes it where he is, and his days of usefulness are pretty nearly over anyway. I’m convinced he’ll have a good home with you Corner House girls.”