54 FANNY, AND HER DOG NEPTUNE.

some accident, grew out horizontally near the bottom of
the trunk for some inches, and then rounding upward,
formed a sort of swinging seat, particularly attractive to
Fanny. Here, in her walks with Neptune, it was her
custom to sit and hold discourse with him; but now she
rather sank than sat T16wn; and when Neptune laid his
head upon her lap, she dropped hers on him, and sobbed
violently.
 To explain her emotion and the resolution under which
she was acting, we must go back and remind our readers
that one Mr. Beverly Thompson had, even before Nep-
tune's renown as Fanny's preserver, offered Mr. Dale ten
pounds for him. Now it had so happened most
strangely, just at that time, as Fanny thought-that, as
she was that very day returning from her walk to Violet
Cove, she met Mr. Beverly Thompson, who had come
from town to pass the day with the father of her friend
Emma Blake. He stopped his gig. Ah, Miss Fanny
Dale," said he, how are you ? and there is my old friend
Neptune; as good a fellow as ever, I suppose ?"
 "Ten times better, sir," said Fanny.
 Ah, that's right; you are a good, constant girl; good-
morning to you, my dear;" and he was driving on, when
suddenly it occurred to him that he had heard the Dales
were ill off, and that they might wish to dispose of the
dog; at any rate, that in their circumstances ten pounds
must be acceptable. So, halting again, he said, "Miss
Fanny, I once offered you ten pounds for Neptune; will
you sell him now?"
 "Sell Neptune! No, indeed, sir, I could not sell
Neptune."
 But why not, Miss Fanny ?"
 I could not, sir. I would as soon sell a human being.
How could anybody sell a creature that has feeling and
affection like Neptune ? No, Mr. Thompson; I can't sell
Neptune."
 "Oh, very well; good-bye, my dear; only remember, if
you should change your mind, I still stand ready to give
you the ten pounds."