and fed me and healed me, and I was happy 

 to serve him. Never a whip did he use to 

 me, but only kind and cheerful words." 

 SS Next the dog spoke : " He rescued me 

 from death. He gave me meat and drink and 

 kindness and friendship. Life would have 

 been useless to me without him." 

 92 " Aye," said Sylvester, " but I beat thee 

 once, and many a time since has my heart 

 been sore for thinking upon it." 

 S8 " Pooh," said Ambrose, " a touch with a 

 little twig. That was no proper beating for 

 one who had stolen a bone. It was for me to 

 earn thy pardon for not having been suffi- 

 ciently punished," and the dog came closer 

 to Sylvester and pressed his muzzle into his 

 master's hand. 



S8 " He asked no service of me," said the cat, 

 " but gave and took companionship and kind- 

 ness. He spread his old cloak for me by the 

 side of the fire ; he scratched me behind the 

 ears ; he tended my kittens and made my life 

 comfortable." 



58 



