The Iron Dog. 161

hard to have him remain, his father at last, con-
sented.

“7 think that iron Dog is the most beautiful
thing here,” said Arnold.

“Then enjoy him to your heart’s content,”
said Papa, smiling and kissing his little boy.

And Arnold did enjoy him.. He got on his
back and rode him, whacking him hard with
a stout stick, He brought him make-believe
dinners, and decorated him with beautiful daisy
chains. In fact, the Dog was in every way a most
satisfactory companion, and they never quarrelled.

One night, Arnold’s father and mother went to
a dinner-party. The house was several miles
away, and they were not to return till twelve
o'clock. ‘Bread and milk and one cookie for
supper,’ said Mamma, as she kissed Arnold good-
bye. Supper-time came, and with it the large
bowl of rich milk and white bread, while on
a small plate lay the tempting cookie. After
supper, Arnold spent an hour playing with the
white cat and her three kittens, and then he
went to bed. But after Mary left him, he could