Page 103 - Fairbrass

accompanied them, they were probably at

breakfast), and he feared that if any of them
saw him they would order him out of the
house- So, still clasping his flowers in his

hand, the boy clambered up the wide oak

staircase and wandered along the broad
landings to which it led. Here everything

was as still as a mouse* All the doors were
shut, and his footfall made no sound on

the thick carpets, Fairbrass, indeed, was
getting almost weary of this silent and

apparently purposeless expedition, for he
had not come to the Big House merely to

see the pictures, old china, armour, stuffed
animals and birds, and curiosities that every­

where abounded, when a little whining* noise

caught his ear, and hastening to the spot
from whence it came, he found a plaintive-
looking and manifestly old fox-terrier sitting

011 a mat and glancing' upwards wistfully

at a doorknob.
* What is the matter, doggie ? and what

is your nam e?’ asked Fairbrass, stroking
his head.