The Story of Cecil and His Dog, Or, the Reward of Virtue (Paperback)

Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CPIAPTER XIV. WHAT BECAME OF THE REMNANTS OF CHICKEN, THE PIECE OF BREAD, AND THE GLASS OF WATER. We left Cecil seated upon the door-step of the coffee house, anxiously glancing at the passage through which his dog had disappeared, but not daring to enter. After some time had passed, Cecil almost despaired of again beholding his cherished dog, and began to feel sadder and more lonely than ever. Just as he was burying his face in his hands he felt something brushing against him, and turning, beheld Fox. The poor animal held something in his mouth, which he carefully laid on the knees of Cecil, briskly wagging his tail andlicking his lips, as though he would say, " Eat, but don't forget me." " Where did you get that ? " inquired Cecil, half unconsciously talking to the dog, as though he could understand. " Ah! you stole it, you little thief." Fox made a hasty movement, accompanied by a half growl, as though he was indignant at the accusation. ''Did any body give it to you ?" continued Cecil. The silence of the dog seemed to answer affirmatively. " It is a good bit of chicken," said Cecil, looking at the meat, without touching it. " Very good indeed; as good as I ever ate at my uncle's table; but, Fox, I ought to have a piece of bread to eat with it. The dog ran off as though he had really understood his master; and when he reappeared, it was with a piece of bread in hismouth. Cecil could not help kissing him, and said in a tone full of gratitude, " Oh ! if I am like Robinson Crusoe, you are my man Friday ! Good Fox ! Dear Fox! Charming little Fox! Now let us eat our dinner together." Fox took his place in front of his master, and it was curious to see these two creatures ?the one a rational being, and the other hardly less so, although but a dumb brute...