30 OVER THE SEA:

 

“What’s the row about ?”

“ Oh, Dick, they’ve lost some lawyer papers, and Mr. Ashurst says you're ruined.”

“Pooh!” said Dick. “It isn’t as bad as that. I've lost Beppo, but I don’t make a fuss
over it.” ,

“Beppo !” echoed Dolly scornfully. “As ifa monkey mattered like papers !”

“Well, it can’t be helped,” replied Dick cheerfully. “I say, Dolly, will you come and
look for Beppo with me?” ; a

Dolly shook her head. “I can’t. Papa is coming home to-night, and I want to get
some holly to decorate the dining-room.”

“Pooh!” said Dick; “what a girl’s idea! Well, I’m off, if you won’t come.” -

Dolly watched him go a little sadly, for she would like to have had him with her; then
calling to her Raggles, the big black retriever who was wandering about in the
garden, she set off down the lane towards the downs. Dolly had not seen her
father, who had been away on the con- tinent, for months, and it was no
wonder that she tripped so gaily across the fields with Raggles at her heels.
She was going to gather holly, and La Jaurel, and oak-leaves, and all
kinds of pretty. green things on the downs to deck the house
for his.return, and this made her feel merry. She climbed
up the long sloping path (and along climb it was) till the old
church steeple got smaller : and smaller inthe distance.
Raggles, who was so called because his black coat was
covered with little ragged curls, followed her de-
murely until they reached level ground,
when he flung himself in the grass and
rolled about into all kinds of funny
shapes, puffing and sniffing all the
time. “Now, Raggles,
you wild dog,’/ said Dolly, “we
must work first * and play  after-
wards.” At this rebuke
Raggles got up, gave himself a shake,
and then stood still ’ with his eyes on
his mistress, as if to say, “ Well, what are your commands?
I’m ready.” Dolly entered the loose, open wood, on the edge
of which they had halted, and was soon busy among the holly bushes. Raggles stood and
watched her, following her from tree to tree, and now and then getting in her way and
almost tripping her up in his anxiety to help. The bundle of holly grew so quickly that
when she had finished picking she looked at it in dismay.

“Oh, dear me!” she cried, “there’s far too much here, I can’t carry all this. But I
know—Raggles shall carry it.” Whereat she plumped down on the ground, and began
_ weaving long strips of holly and oak together into garlands. Raggles sat on his haunches
looking at the operation with great interest, but he was surprised when Dolly threw one of
these prickly-looking things round his neck. At first he was inclined to resent it, but she
soon coaxed him into a good humour.

“ Now, Raggles,” she said, “be cheerful. Remember Papa is coming home to-night.
What, you won’t ? Wag your tail, sir, this moment! That’s right. Now stand! Up! up!”