Page 112 - Fairbrass

distemper, and then we living1 ones were

sorry we hadn't treated them more kindly.

One of my brothers has made quite a name
for himself as a performing dog in a circus,
and my only sister has won several first

prizes at shows. These two wouldn’t know
me now, because I'm only a companion to

an old gentleman, and they'd make those
early quarrels of ours an excuse to hold

aloof from me. Oh no, take my word for it,
that (excepting large families, where you

can’t help it) family quarrels are the greatest
and most needless mistakes in the world.’

Well, following Pax’s advice, Fairbrass
—always carrying his friendly flowers-—

climbed on to his grandfather’s bed, so that
when the old man woke up their eyes might

meet, and he had hardly done so before
there came a gentle *Tap, tap,’ at the door.

To this summons an answer was evidently
expected, for, at respectful intervals, it was

repeated— once, twice, thrice. Then the
door-handle was softly turned, and a man­

servant entered the room. He gazed in