% "What have these who stand with thee to 

 say on thy behalf?" 



% "He took me in," said the horse, "when I 

 was faint and wounded. He cared for me 

 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." 

 <% 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." 

 <% "Aye," said Sylvester, "but I beat thee once, 

 and many a time since has my heart been sore 

 for thinking upon it." 



% "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 sufficiently 

 punished," and the dog came closer to Sylves- 

 ter and pressed his muzzle into his master's 

 hand. 



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



"but gave and took companionship and kind- 



57 



