"Go away, Gip," and Gip, gazing wonderingly in his face, saw that something was the matter and followed him meekly, with his tail between his legs.
"I wish I dared tell mother," Jimmy said softly.
At this, Gip gave a joyful bark, "Bow-wow-bow!"
Jimmy though he felt so sorrowful, could not help smiling. It sounded so much like saying, "I would, I would."
"No, old fellow, it wouldn't do. I must manage somehow without telling her."
At this Gip did not answer at all; but when the boy, after a timid glance around, crept carefully over the wall at the bottom of the garden, he flew after him, and seizing his coat tried to make him go back, barking as loud as he could.
"Go home!" said Jimmy, in a subdued tone which he tried to make stern. "Go home, sir," pointing over the wall.
Poor Gip obeyed after one reproachful glance in the boy's face. Was there to be no frolic after all?
Then the boy, keeping close to the wall, made his way quickly toward the barn, intending to pass through it on his way, to the house. He was glad that no one was in sight, and was just darting into the door when Ralph saw him.