David ate a hearty breakfast and then, after enduring a motherly lecture concerning prudence and the danger of getting lost, was permitted to go out of doors.
Mary-'Gusta, standing in the doorway, gazed after her pet.
"I hope there's no dogs around here," she said.

"It would be dreadful if there was a dog." Isaiah tried to reassure her.

"Oh, I cal'late there ain't no dog nigh enough to do any harm," he said; "besides, most cats can run fast enough to get out of the way." The child shook her head.

"I didn't mean that," she said.

"I meant it would be dreadful for the dog.