Watch wagged his great bushy tail, and kissed the little girl’s hand, just as though he loved her very much. The blow she had given him did not hurt him, and Watch did not seem to be afraid of her.
“What do you want, little boy?” asked Flora Lee; for that was her name.
“I have got a great big pickerel that I caught in the river; and I want to sell him to your father,” replied David.
“Do let me see him!” said Flora.
David pulled out the grass, and the little girl looked at the fish, said he was a monster, and did not see how David could have caught him.
“He pulled very hard,” added David, “but I got him out. He is a very nice fish, and I heard a man say that your father was very fond of pickerel.”
“He is.”
“My mother is poor, and has to work very hard; I want to get some money to help her, if I can.”
“You are a nice boy to help your mother, and my father shall buy the fish; if he won’t, I will,” said Flora.
“Thank you, little miss.”