By the time he was thoroughly strong again, he and his little sisters had a common interest in the animals under their care—their own private Beastland. He tried to pet another terrier, but in vain. So the new “Rough” was given to the sisters, and Benjy adopted Nox. For he said, “I should like a dog who knew Mister Rough;” and, “If Nox likes, me in spite of old times, I shall believe I am fit to keep a pet.” And no one who knows dogs needs to be told that not the ghost of a bit of malice lessened the love which the benevolent retriever bore to his new master.
The savings of Benjy’s pocket-money for some time were expended on a tombstone for the terrier’s grave, with this inscription:
TO A FAITHFUL FRIEND,
ROUGH WITHOUT AND GENTLE WITHIN,
WHO DIED OF JOY,
APRIL 3, 18—
ON HIS MASTER’S RECOVERY FROM SICKNESS.
And that true and tender beast, who bore so much hard usage for so long, but died of his one great happiness——
Dear reader, do you not think he is in the Dog Star?