84 A DOG OF FLANDERS.

gether in the future, or I will send
the child to the surer keeping of the
nuns of the Sacred Heart.”

The poor mother was terrified, and
promised humbly to do his will. Not
that she could bring herself alto-
gether to separate the child from her
favorite playmate, nor did the miller
even desire that extreme of cruelty
to a young lad who was guilty of
nothing except poverty. But there
were many ways in which little Alois
was kept away from her chosen com-
panion ; and Nello being a boy proud
and quiet and sensitive, was quickly
wounded, and ceased to turn his
own steps and those of Patrasche,
as he had been used to do with
every moment of leisure, to the old