He thought of looking in some of the old books to see, but, somehow, books did not appeal to him just now.

He went up to his own little room, and took down the china poodle, and had a long talk with him; that was very consoling, and he felt better after it; it was wonderful how it cleared the mind to talk a thing over with an old friend.

The poodle said little, but his eyes were full of sympathy, and that was the main thing.

By-and-by, as the child sat by his little window, polishing the pearl-shell on his sleeve, and thinking over the strange events of the last few days, there came to him from below the sound of voices.

The doctor was there, evidently; perhaps Mr.Bill Hen, too; and little as he felt inclined to merriment, John fell into a helpless laughter, as he recalled the look of that worthy man when he was discovered flattened against the door.