“‘Yes, to be sure. The Bible says it, and the Bible is God’s word; and Jesus said it over again when he was on the earth.’
“Norman stood a quarter of a minute, and then went out and closed the door.
“The next morning they looked eagerly for him. But he did not come. He stopped at evening, as usual, but Silky was just then busy and did not speak to him beyond a word. Tuesday morning he did not come. At night he was there again with his jug.
“‘How do you do, Norman?’ said Mrs. Meadow, when she filled it, ‘and how is Long-Ears?’
“But Norman did not answer, and turned to go.
“‘Come here in the morning, Norman,’ Mrs. Meadow called after him.
“Whether he heard her or not, he did not shew himself on his way to the factory next morning. That was Wednesday.
“‘Norman hasn’t been here these three days, mother,’ said Silky. ‘Can it be he has made up his mind to do without his halfpennyworth of milk for the dog?’
“‘Little fellow!’ said Mrs. Meadow, ‘I meant to have given it to him; skim milk would do, I dare say; but I forgot to tell him Sunday; and I told him last night to stop, but he hasn’t done it. We’ll go up there, Silky, and see how he is, after dinner.’
“‘To the factory, mother?’