“I had a little sister oncet, only she’s growed up now, an’ she hain’t my little sister any more.” He kissed her brown cheek tenderly, even as David had done, and set her gently down on her two stubby feet. “You run in an’ tell yer maw thank you, fer me, will ye? Mind, now. Listen at me whilst I tell you what to tell yer paw an’ maw fer me. Say, ‘Frale seen a houn’ dog on his scent, an’ he’s gone home to git shet of him.’“

“Where’s the ‘houn’ dog,’ Frale?” She gazed fearfully about.

“He’s gone now. He won’t bite — not you, he won’t.”

“Oh, Frale! I wish it was a circus.”