So he took his cap and put it on, patting Bruno’s head at the same time, and commending him in a very cordial manner.
“I am very much obliged to you, Bruno,” said he, “for bringing me my cap—very much obliged indeed. The cap is all I care for; never mind about the fishing-pole.”
Bruno returns home.
Tony spoke these words very feebly, for he was very tired and faint. Bruno perceived that he was not able to go on; so, after remaining by his side a few minutes, he ran off again into the bushes and disappeared.
“Now he has gone to bring the fishing-pole, I suppose,” said Tony. “I wish he would not go for that; I would rather have him stay here with me.”
His strange conduct.
Tony was mistaken in his supposition that Bruno had gone for the fishing-pole; for, instead of going to the brook again, where he had found the cap, he ran as fast as he could toward home. His object was to see if he could not get some thing for Tony to eat. As soon as he arrived at the house, he went to the farmer’s wife, who was all this time walking about the rooms of the house in great distress of mind, and waiting anxiously to hear some news of those who were in search of Tony, and began to pull her by her dress toward the place in the kitchen where the tin pail was kept, in which she was accustomed to put the farmer’s dinner. At first she could not understand what he wanted.
“My senses!” said she, “what does the dog mean?”
“Bruno!” said she again, after wondering a moment, “what do you want?”