"
Thomas sprang back into the carriage, and looked a good deal alarmed as
he saw me turn to meet Tiger and pat the animal's huge head.
He fawned delightedly around me, licking my gloved hand whenever he could
get the chance.
"You need not be afraid, Thomas. I won't let him hurt you."
"I won't risk him. He's the crossest brute in Cavendish."
"Why, Tiger, what a character to get!"
To my surprise the dog looked up at Thomas, and uttered an angry growl.
"See, now; I believe the brute understands what I say."
"Come with me, Tiger." I started for the house. Tiger stood a moment
uncertainly, and then trotted after me. Mrs. Blake's face was radiant
when she opened the door in answer to my knock.
"You're a thousand times welcome back; and my! but you're needed."
"That is encouraging news. But, Mrs. Blake, won't you hide Tiger away
somewhere? Thomas is afraid of him, and, I think, not without reason."
"I wish't Daniel 'd sell him; he frightens folks from the house," she
said, with much discontent, driving Tiger unceremoniously into the back
porch.
Thomas soon had the bundles laid on the kitchen table, and the carriage
turned homewards, while I began unrolling the prints and flannels, frocks
and pinafores, for the Mill Road pensioners. Mrs. Blake watched eagerly;
but at last exclaimed:
"Dear me! it must a cost you a mint of money to get all these."
"About the price of one evening dress."
"I hope you got all the things, then, you needed for yourself.
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