74. MARGERY.

was no one to chase him and take it away, so he soon dropped
that. Standing on his hind legs, he could just reach the top
of the bureau; something bright and beautiful lying there
attracted his eye, and with his nose he poked off Minnie’s
ring, then, lying down on the floor, he tried to chew it up; he
was in the midst of this proceeding and had succeeded in get-
ing the setting out, when Margery returned.

“You dreadful dog!” she exclaimed. “How came I to
leave you here! What have you been up to now? What is
this? Minnie’s ring, with the setting gone! Now, what
shall Ido! I cannot send it back till it is mended. Luckily,
you haven’t swallowed the stone. Bring that ring to me, sir!”

Punch turned over on his back and held up deprecating
paws.

“Come this instant!” cried Margery.

Punch grovelled on the floor, and crept along as if his legs
were no more than an inch long; he put the ring in his
mistress’s hand, and then appealingly wagged his tail.

“Vveamind to whip you, you bad little thing!” exclaimed
she. “Go down-stairs !”

Punch flew, only too glad to get out. Margery followed
him to the library door, where her father and mother were
sitting.

“Do you think this can be mended ?” she asked her father,
handing him the ring.

He took it, turned it over, and said he thought it could.