Gladys was so occupied with the dog as to be unconscious of Aunt Hannah’s anxiety. She admired Snip’s silky hair; declared that he needed a bath, and insisted on knowing how “such a treasure” had come into Seth’s possession.
The boy was not disposed to admit that he had no real claim upon the dog, save such as might result from having found him homeless and friendless in the street; but willing that the girl should admire his pet yet more.
“Put him on the floor an’ see how much he knows,” Seth said, without replying to her question.
Then Snip was called upon to show his varied accomplishments. He sat bolt upright holding a wisp of straw in his mouth; walked on his hind feet with Seth holding him by one paw; whirled around and around on being told to dance; leaped over the handle of the hay-fork, barking and yelping with excitement; and otherwise gave token of being very intelligent.
Gladys was in an ecstasy of delight, and even the little woman so far overcame her fear of animals as to venture to touch Snip’s outstretched paw when he gravely offered to “shake hands.”
Not until at least a quarter of an hour had passed was any particular attention paid to Seth, and by this time Aunt Hannah was willing to admit that while dogs in general frightened her, however peaceable they appeared to be, she thought a little fellow like Snip might be almost as companionable as a cat.
“Of course you won’t continue your journey until after breakfast,” she said in a matter-of-fact tone, “and Gladys will take you into the kitchen where you can wash your face and hands, while I am milking.”
Then it was that Seth observed a bright tin pail and a three-legged stool lying on the ground just outside the big door, as if they had fallen from the little woman’s hands when she was alarmed by hearing Snip’s note of defiance and warning.
Gladys had the dog in her arms, and nodding to Seth as if to say he should follow, she led the way to the house, while Aunt Hannah disappeared through a doorway opening from the main portion of the barn.
“There’s the towel, the soap and water,” she said, pointing toward a wooden sink in one corner of what was to Seth the most wonderful kitchen he had ever seen. “Don’t you think Snippey would like some milk?”