A DOG OF FLANDERS. 45

cathedral spire; and then lie down
together to sleep peacefully while the
old man said a prayer.

So the days and the years went on,
and the lives of Nello and Patrasche
were happy, innocent, and healthful.

Inthe spring and summer especially
were they glad. Flanders is not a
lovely land, and around the burgh of
Rubens it is perhaps least lovely of
all. Corn and colza, pasture and
plough, succeed each other on the
characterless plain in wearying repe-
tition, and save by some gaunt: gray
tower, with its peal of pathetic bells,
or some figure coming athwart the
fields, made picturesque by a gleaner’s
bundle or a woodman’s fagot, there is
no change, no variety, no beauty, any-