The sparrows had instant news of that,
and the little winged beggars fluttered up to the lintels of
certain deep-set casements, where ill-fed bairns scattered
breakfasts of crumbs.
Bobby watched all this without a movement. He shivered when the
lodge door was heard to open and shut and heavy footsteps
crunched on the gravel and snow around the church. "Juist fair
silly" on his quaking legs he stood up, head and tail drooped.
But he held his ground bravely, and when the caretaker sighted
him he trotted to meet the man, lifted himself on his hind
legs, his short, shagged fore paws on his breast, begging
attention and indulgence. Then he sprawled across the great
boots, asking pardon for the liberty he was taking. At last, all
in a flash, he darted back to the grave, sniffed at it, and stood
again, head up, plumy tail crested, all excitement, as much as to
say:
"Come awa' ower, man, an' leuk at the brave sicht."
If he could have barked, his meaning would have carried more
convincingly, but he "hauded 'is gab" loyally. And, alas, the
caretaker was not to be beguiled. Mr. Traill had told him Bobby
had been sent back to the hill farm, but here he was,
"perseestent" little rascal, and making some sort of bid for the
man's favor. Mr. Brown took his pipe out of his mouth in
surprised exasperation, and glowered at the dog.
"Gang awa' oot wi' ye!"
But Bobby was back again coaxing undauntedly, abasing himself
before the angry man, insisting that he had something of interest
to show.
Pages:
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109