“So that’s your dog?” asked the pound-keeper.
“Yes, I’ve found him!” cried the little girl, happily.
“So it is Rex,” said her father. “I wonder how he got here?”
“We found him on the street,” said the pound-keeper, “and we have to pick up all stray dogs, you know.”
“I know—yes,” said the little girl’s father. “But now we’ll take Rex home with us, Alice.”
“Oh, yes, father. And I must give him a good wash. I think he is hungry, too. Look how thin he is!”
“He must have had a hard time,” said the man, patting Rex on the head. “I wonder what has happened to him since he was taken away?”
“Oh, if I could only tell you!” thought Rex, but of course he could not speak man or girl talk. The little mistress of the silken poodle started out of the pound with him in her arms. But this did not suit Rex. He did not want to go away from Don that way. Poor Don felt very sad and alone, as he saw his little friend being taken away, while he had to stay in the pound.
Rex struggled so hard, that the little girl had to put him down.
“Why, Rex, what is it?” she asked. “Don’t you want me to take you home, and away from this place?”