Page:Emma Speed Sampson--The shorn lamb.djvu/209

Rh he's gone mad! Doctor am too proudified ter run 'less'n he done gone an' got bit by a mad dog. Look at him jes' a-jumpin' up an' actin' lak a pup! Lawd love us, Marse Spot, go 'ten' ter Doctor! Don't set thar an' let that po' lil' Beck baby git all bit ter pieces."

Spottswood jumped from his chair and rushed to the front porch in time to see his dignified old setter roll on the grass with Rebecca in a final romp. For a moment he was frozen to the spot with horror. His dog was mad and was going to tear the child to pieces! Poor little waif! She wasn't such a bad kid after all. Of course she was an impostor, but no doubt she was ignorant of it. She had been imposed upon by those people in New York who wanted to get rid of her. This flashed through Spottswood's mind in the instant that he stood inactive. Then he dashed down the steps and grabbed his dog by the collar, dragging him from Rebecca, who lay on the ground looking up at him with her great eyes full of laughter.

Doctor was the only one who was ashamed. He looked crestfallen enough at being caught by his master romping. With a loving glance at Rebecca he slunk around the house, his proud tail for once between his legs. Had he been discovered stealing chickens or devouring the birds