“I’m afraid that would not do,” added the gentleman, shaking his head. “I fear you would be too much trouble.”
No more was said, and the dog went across the room, his tail hanging between his legs, and remained quietly on the corner of the sofa. They noticed that he watched every movement closely, and that, if Minnie left the room, he seemed uneasy till she returned.
“It is very strange that he can understand,” remarked Mrs. Lee. “See, he is not asleep, though he pretends to be; he is listening to what we say.”
Minnie laughed aloud. “It is too funny!” she exclaimed.
“I have heard of many cases,” remarked her father, “where it was evident that dogs understood well certain words uttered in their presence.”
“O, father,” urged Minnie, “do please tell them to me.”
He looked at his watch, and then began:—
“A gentleman by the name of Taylor was once travelling in Spain. He arrived early one evening at a village inn, and sat down before a stove to dry his boots. Close by him was a dog, which watched him very attentively.
“What can you give me for supper?” the gentleman inquired of the hostess.
“‘Some eggs,’ was the reply.