“I’ll be looking back along the road for the nut of the wheel until you get back,” the moving man called after him, and Tommy waved his hand to show that he understood.
It did not take him long to get to the farmhouse. He did not quite know whether to go to the front or the back door, and he had about made up his mind that, as he was begging for food, the back door would be the better place.
“Besides, it’s nearer the kitchen,” thought Tommy.
And then he happened to see a side door, and he decided that perhaps that would be better. He was just going up the steps when a dog, that he had not seen before, ran around the corner of the house, barking loudly.
Now, Tommy knew something about dogs, for he had once had one of his own, though it was only a puppy. And he remembered that his mother had often said to him that if a dog should come at him the best plan was to stand still, and not run, for in that case the dog would certainly run after him.
So Tommy boldly stood his ground, and then the dog, which had continued to bark all the while, stood still and looked at him.
“Good boy!” called Tommy, at the same time snapping his fingers. “Good old boy! What’s the matter now, eh? You don’t look as if you would bite!”
Then the dog began to wag its tail, and Tommy knew there was no more danger, for the animal was sniffing in a friendly fashion at the boy’s legs. He knocked on the door, and it was opened by a pleasant-faced lady.
“Oh!” she exclaimed at the sight of Tommy. “Did the dog bother you? Towser, behave yourself! I don’t believe I want to buy anything to-day,” she went on, looking from the dog to Tommy.
“If you please, I’m not selling anything,” answered our hero. “I came to ask if I could have something to eat for the moving man and myself. He is very hungry and so am I, and, if you please, I was to specially remind you that he was a man, and I’m a boy.”