"Do you know what Jowler would do to you ?" I said; "Jowler, a dog worth ten of you.

He would take you by the neck and drop you into that pond for daring to insult his mistress!" The dog appeared to feel the force of my remarks, for he lay down again, and with one eye watched me in a manner amusing, but insidious.

Then, taking good care to keep out of his reach, I went to the mill-pond and examined it.
It looked like a very nice pond indeed, long, and large, and well banked up, not made into any particular shape, but producing little rushy elbows.

The water was now rather low, and very bright (though the Moon itself is not a crystal stream), and a school of young minnows, just watching a water-spider with desirous awe, at sight of me broke away, and reunited, with a speed and precision that might shame the whole of our very best modern fighting.

Then many other things made a dart away, and furrowed the shadow of the willows, till distance quieted the fear of man--that most mysterious thing in nature--and the shallow pool was at peace again, and bright with unruffled reflections.
"What ails the dog ?" said a deep gruff voice; and the poor dog received a contemptuous push, not enough to hurt him, but to wound his feelings for doing his primary duty.