All the way to town Philippe sang with his little sister. When they reached the Grande Place, he set the baby upon the counter. Then the little girl, with her golden curls and her sunny smile, and the tall, handsome boy, with his wavy hair and his dreamy eyes, sang and attracted many people to the booth. It did not take them long to sell their vegetables.
Now as Philippe unloaded his produce, he did not know that today something unusual was going to happen. Rose fluttered about and filled the dogs' drinking bowl. All dog-carts in Belgium carry drinking bowls, and a bit of carpet for the animals to lie down upon. Rose filled the bowl, and the huge beasts licked her hands with gratitude.
There was a new member of the dog family who had come to town with them today. It was Trompke (trŏmp'-ky). Trompke was a puppy. He did not work. He was Philippe's own puppy.
"Trompke" means "tambourine" in Brussels French. The puppy was thus named because he had such a fat little round tummy.
TROMPKE
Trompke loved Philippe. Today was the first time he had been allowed to follow the cart to town. He was wild with excitement.
"Stop barking, Trompke!" commanded Philippe, as he arranged the vegetables on the stand.
"Lie down, Tum-Tum," cried Baby Rose.
And Trompke lay at the baby's feet.