On Sundays at Cloverfield Farm Rover always stayed at home to guard the place while the family went to church.
Just once, a long time ago, he had followed clear to the church door, when Mr. Hill had sent him back home.
One Sunday in summer, father hitched the horses to the big carriage and drove up to the horse block where mother and the children were waiting for him.
"Did you lock all the doors?" asked father.
"Yes," said mother, "and all the windows too."
"Where is Rover?" asked father.
"He is under the apple tree," said John.
Then they got into the carriage and drove to church—father, John and Sue on the front seat; mother, Bobby and Baby Betty on the back seat.
Past two farm houses, under the Big Trees, past two more farm houses, down the little hill and through the village they went to the big stone church on the brow of the big hill.
After father had driven the horses and carriage under the shed at the rear of the church, all the family went into church and up the middle aisle to their pew near the front.