"Go and take good care of thy little Christine.

Let no harm befall her this day!" The dog bounded away as if glad of the permission, but at the door turned back, and seeing that the Major was not following, picked up his hat in his mouth.

Then, carrying it back to the Major, stood looking up into his master's face, wagging his tail.
The Major took the hat and laid it on the table beside him.

"No, not to-day, good friend," he said, smiling at the dog's evident wish to have him go also.

"You may go without me, this time.