The afternoon session closed at the usual recess time, and then it was that Miss Minnie presented the new collar to Prince, with, as Mr. Brady, the trustee, would have said, “a few appropriate words.”
The big girl invented another verse in imitation of “Mary’s Little Lamb,” and recited it:
“‘What makes Prince love Car’lyn so?’
The little children cry.
‘Why, Car’lyn loves the dog, you know,’
The teacher doth reply.”
“Oh, dear me!” sighed Carolyn May happily. “It’s just like a party—a birthday party. We never celebrated Prince’s birthday before, or gave him any kind of party. But I know he enjoys it.”
He certainly did seem to appreciate the honour, and bore himself proudly with the new green collar around his neck. Uncle Joe attached his S.P.C.A. license tag to it, which jingled like a bangle.
Carolyn May was glad to see Uncle Joe do this. Everything that Uncle Joe did which showed he thought of something besides his business pleased his little niece.
“You see,” she told Aunty Rose, “I know Uncle Joe doesn’t look up enough. Whenever I’m in his store I almost always see him at his desk working at that great big book in which he keeps his accounts.
“Chet Gormley says he always is at it—Sundays, too. You know, Aunty Rose, he walks down to the store every Sunday after dinner and stays till supper time.”
“I know it, child,” the housekeeper agreed. “Joseph Stagg is completely wrapped up in his business.”