Besides which, Regie," he added, "such a pretty dog as Rubens would be sure to be stolen.

And you wouldn't like that." "I will take good care of Rubens, my boy," added my father; and with this promise I was obliged to content myself.
The excitement and pleasure of the various preparations for my visit were in themselves a treat.

There had been some domestic discussion as to a suitable box for my clothes, and the matter was not quickly settled.

There happened to be no box of exactly the convenient size in the house, and it was proposed to pack my things with Nurse Bundle's in one of the larger cases.

This was a disappointment to my dignity; and I ventured to hint that I "should like a trunk all to myself, like a grown-up gentleman," without, however, much hope that my wishes would be fulfilled.