PRINCE MORDGB. 259 



said. Oh, the abject remorse and contrition which 

 Slop's awakened conscience imparted to his appearance ! 

 " Take it back," said bis master sternly, and the dog, 

 carrying the stolen morsel, laid it at the press door ; 

 then, unable to bear the burden of shame and remorse, 

 he bolted ! 



Slop was never guilty of a like offence again, and, 

 indeed, was so trustworthy at all times that the cook 

 often set him to watch the bread " firing " on the 

 hearth — a trust which Slop performed most faithfully. 

 That such a position was no sinecure will be under- 

 stood when I explain that the old kitchen was free to 

 every beast belonging to the place, and to half the 

 poor population of the island. Ducks, old wives, 

 cormorants, cats, calves, pensioners, ponies, pigeons, 

 starlings, were continually wandering out and in, but 

 no one of the motley throng dared practise their 

 favourite vice when Prince Mordge was on guard. 

 His one lapse was soon forgotten by all but himself, 

 and to the latest day of his life he remembered with 

 shame and sorrow that petty theft. When offered a 

 whole briinie he would hang his head, conscience- 

 stricken, and sneak under the table, but to bits of 

 broken briinies he never objected. 



Slop's sense of justice was as sensitive as his sense 

 of shame. Although fond of the water, and a splendid 

 swimmer, he had a decided aversion to anything like 

 forcible immersion ; and once a young lady, knowing 

 his feeling on the subject, and fond of teasing, pushed 

 him into the garden well. Insult was added to injury 



