“There is my mouse ghost,” she said, touching her breast; “then there is the ghost of the spotted dog with yellow eyes.”
“Indeed,” remarked the Judge, highly amused and interested, “and who was the spotted dog?”
“He is a ghost,” said the child, earnestly, “but he really isn’t dead. He ran away. I can see him as plain as I see these candies,” and she tightly shut her eyes for a few instants.
Suddenly opening them, she exclaimed, “There he is, running with a bone—quick! catch him. I should like to tell him that Bethany still loves him.”
As she spoke she started dramatically forward and extended her hands.
“W-w-what’s the matter?” asked Titus, lifting his head.
“My spotted dog,” she cried; “my dear spotted dog. Take care that he doesn’t bite your clothes. He is a very peculiar dog.”
The servants in alarm thought that a real dog had entered the room by the open door and began to tumble over each other.
Higby, on account of his infirmity of tongue, tried to open his mouth as little as possible in the presence of his employer, but now in his fright he called out, “W-w-where is the d-d-dog?”
“There,” exclaimed the little girl, “right between your feet. Do catch him for me, but take care, for he hates old men, and might give your coat a snap.”