Little Philippe of Belgium

by Madeline Brandeis

Just then Zelie came home. She seemed thinner and paler than when Philippe had last seen her. She did not talk very much, but her face lit up when she saw Philippe.

"I am so glad you have come," she said. "We shall have such good times together."

Tom grinned broadly.

"Yes, indeed," he agreed. "There is a fair in Ostend (ŏst-ĕnd'), so we four shall start our wanderings tomorrow."

"We four?" asked Zelie.

She had not noticed Trompke. The puppy was curled up behind a chair.

"WE FOUR SHALL START OUR WANDERINGS TOMORROW"

"Yes," smiled Tom slyly. "The little dog is to be one of our party, and a very important one, too. Eh, Philippe, my boy?"

Philippe smiled and began to feel happier. At last he was going to do the thing he had always dreamed of doing. At last he was going to travel with Tom and Zelie.