“My paws were just dancing when we came out, and when we got back to the hotel and met the dear old lady who wished to get me for her grandchildren I did the newest dog-trot all round her.
“‘The children are coming for that dog to-day,’ she said.
“‘The veterinary has a nice one for them,’ replied my new mistress. ‘I am going to keep Billy.’
“The old lady looked astonished. ‘But she is such a trouble to you.’
“‘Oh, no,’ said Mrs. Martin cheerfully. ‘I have nothing to do here but go to the hospital once a day to see my sister. It is good for me to have a dog to exercise.’
“The old lady looked down at me and exclaimed, ‘I believe that creature understands what you are saying.’
“‘Oh, Mrs. James,’ said my dear new mistress,
‘if you only knew! Dogs and cats and birds and all animals have a language of their own. They are crying out to us, begging us to listen to them, to sympathize, but we are blind and deaf. We do not try to understand.’
“‘Well, there’s one thing I understand,’ said Mrs. James bluntly, ‘you are calling that dog Billy Sunday when she ought to be Ma Sunday.’
“Mrs. Martin dearly loved a joke, and she burst out laughing. ‘I sent word to the famous preacher that I had named a dog for him, and I don’t think he approved, for I received no message, so I am going to change her name to Billie Sundae.’