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 The mistress returned to the dining-room, and without a sign of a smile, said, "There is a gentleman in the sitting-room who wishes to see you."

The author swallowed a gulp of coffee to be primed for any emergency and went to the living-room, and there in the best chair sat Mr. Dog.

"Well, well, this is taking some liberties," said the master sternly, for Pierre's paws were muddy, and the chair was almost new. This was rather too much to be endured calmly, even by a lover of dogs.

If a dog could be described as blushing, Pierre blushed, and a look of shame overspread his face.

His whole manner and expression seemed to say, "I know I am very shabby this morning, but I am down on my luck. You do not think I am a tramp, do you?