He patted his head, the dog growled, but O'Brien put his arm round his neck, and patting him again, whistled to him, and went to the door of the farmhouse.

The dog followed him silently but closely.

O'Brien knocked, and the door was opened by the little girl: the mastiff advanced to the girl, and then turned round, facing O'Brien, as much as to say, "Is he to come in ?" The girl spoke to the dog, and went indoors.

During her absence the mastiff lay down at the threshold.

In a few seconds the woman who had brought us from Flushing, came out, and desired us to enter.