"With the assistance of your animals, you say! Then you have animals also. What are they, and where are they?"
Just then Cæsar came from the stables leading Nalla and Steady, and followed by Vigilant, who had as usual slept beside Nalla.
"There they are," replied Nadine, pointing to the approaching trio.
The brigadier regarded them with surprise.
"Why, that is a costly animal for orphans to own!" he exclaimed. "How do you manage to provide for his keep?"
"With what we earn, sir," answered Nadine. "He is our best breadwinner too."
"Hum! hum! with what you earn," sneered the brigadier, "and with what you steal also, of course."
Nadine paled at the cruel words, and shrunk back from the speaker as though he had struck her. She was so hurt that she could not find words in which to reply.
But Cæsar, thrilled with indignation at the unmerited slur upon their character, spoke up bravely: