Philippe could not let himself think of that. To the market place he went.
"Where is the fair?" he asked a passerby.
"It left Ghent last night," was the answer. "It will be in Bruges (brōō'jez) for three days, and I only wish I could go there and see it again."
Philippe did not hear the last remark. He had already turned. Everything had begun to whirl about him. But he stumbled on, on.
"We must follow them to Bruges, Trompke," he said, bravely.
But Trompke lay down on the sidewalk with his head between his paws. His tongue was lolling. His eyes said, "Not I! I stay!"
But Philippe was already walking away. Trompke arose wearily and followed. What dog has the right to refuse the commands of a boy? It is true that in this case the dog was more sensible than the boy.
For Philippe was completely worn out. He was so tired and hungry, he could scarcely think. It would have been better had he rested awhile.
But all he could think of was finding Tom and Zelie and joining them.