"I think they will try it!" answered John, with decision, as he smiled sympathetically at a pair of sparrows chirping together at the door of one of the desirable family mansions provided for their use.
Here Tip ended the dangerous dialogue by sitting down before Dolly with a howl of despair, which recalled her to her duty.
"The poor old thing is tired, and must go in. Good-morning, and many thanks," she said, turning toward the steps, which they would have passed unseen but for the prudent poodle's hint.
"Good-by, and a thousand pardons for boring you with my affairs," began John, with a penitent, yet very grateful glance.
"By the way, I've been so interested in Jack's affairs that I've forgotten exactly what your advice was to me," she added, pausing on the upper step for a last word.
With his hat in his hand and his heart in his eyes, John looked up and answered in a tone that made few words necessary,—
"Don't sell yourself for a home."
And Dolly answered back with a sweet, shrewd smile that made him flush guiltily,—
"Don't smother your conscience with a fortune."