52 A DOG OF FLANDERS.

might,— Patrasche in his heart was

very grateful to his fate, and thought it
the fairest and the kindliest the world
could hold. Though he was often
very hungry indeed when he lay down
at night; though he had to work in
the heats of summer noons and
the rasping chills of winter dawns ;
though his feet were often tender
with wounds from the sharp edges of
the jagged pavement ; though he had
to perform tasks beyond his strength
and against his nature,—yet he was
grateful and content : he did his duty
with each day, and the eyes that he
loved smiled down on him. It was
sufficient for Patrasche.
There was only one thing which
caused Patrasche any uneasiness: in