"And as soon as ever I have my chores done," he said, and his eyes shone, and his cheek flushed at the thought, "as soon as ever, I'm going down there, just to see.

Of course, I suppose it isn't there, you know; but then,--if it should be!" The dog expressed sympathy in his usual quiet way, and was of the opinion that John should go by all means, for, after all, who could say that the vision might not have been reality?
When one considered the stories one had read! and had not the dog just heard the whole of "Robinson Crusoe" read aloud, bit by bit, in stealthy whispers, by early daylight, by moonlight, by stray bits of candle begged from a neighbor,--had he not heard and appreciated every word of the immortal story?
He was no ignorant dog, indeed! His advice was worth having.
Breakfast was soon eaten; it did not take long to eat breakfast in Mr.
Scraper's house.

The chores were a more serious matter, for every spoon and plate had to be washed to the tune of a lashing tongue, and under an eye that withered all it lighted on.

But at last,--at last the happy hour came when the tyrant's back was turned, and the tyrant's feet tottered off in the direction of the post-office.

The daily purchases, the daily gossip at the "store," would fill the rest of the morning, as John well knew.