"Well," replied Mr. Edwards, "I will not. So you may take him, and keep him till I send for him,—that is, provided he will go with you of his own accord. I can't drive him away from his old home."
Jonas thanked Mr. Edwards, and rose to go. Mr. Edwards took his hat, and followed him to the door, to see whether the dog would go willingly. When he was upon the step, he called him.
"Ney," said he, "Ney."
Ney looked up, and, in a moment afterwards, jumped out of the sleigh, and came running up to the door.
"Now," continued Mr. Edwards, "if you can call him back, while I am standing here, it is pretty good proof that you have been kind to him, and that he would like to go with you."
So Jonas walked down towards the gate, looking back, and calling,—
"Franco, Franco, Franco!"
The dog ran down towards him a little way, and then stopped, looked back, and, after a moment's pause, he returned a few steps towards his former master. He seemed a little at a loss to know which to choose.
Jonas got into his sleigh.
"Franco!" said he.