Johnny Bear 



him indoors, where the warmth helped him so 

 much that thenceforth he lived in the kitchen. 



For a few days he seemed better, and his 

 old-time pleasure in seeing things revived. The 

 great blazing fire in the range particularly ap- 

 pealed to him, and made him sit up in his old 

 attitude when the opening of the door brought 

 the wonder to view. After a week he lost in- 

 terest even in that, and drooped more and more 

 each day. Finally not the most exciting noises 

 or scenes around him could stir up his old fond- 

 ness for seeing what was going on. 



He coughed a good deal, too, and seemed 

 wretched, except when in Norah's lap. Here 

 he would cuddle up contentedly, and whine 

 most miserably when she had to set him down 

 again in his basket. 



A few days before the closing of the Hotel, 

 he refused his usual breakfast, and whined 

 softly till Norah took him in her lap ; then he 

 feebly snuggled up to her, and his soft Er-r-r 

 Er-r-r grew fainter, till it ceased. Half an 

 hour later, when she laid him down to go about 

 her work, Little Johnny had lost the last trace of 

 his anxiety to see and know what was going on. 



191 



