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46 know that they had changed places. Other passers-by stopped, seeing the countryman standing there, and they too had pennies to drop in the cup. Soon there was quite a crowd. No one before had ever seen a wooden dog that wagged its tail; it was as good as going to the circus, and the pennies rattled down. One man put as many as three. And when they grew tired of staring and passed on others came forward to take their places. Poor Cecco’s tail went thump—thump—on the pavement; he could scarcely keep count any more and soon the cup was overflowing. Those who had no more pennies put in dimes and nickels. Business was certainly flourishing.

The old blind man had never known such a good morning before.

“It must be because the sun is shining,” he said to himself as he heard the coins clinking in the cup. “Every one is in a good humour. Yes, it must certainly be a very sunny day!”

In the middle of it all the little black dog came strolling back. There was such a crowd that he had to push his way between the people’s legs.

“You’ve surely done well!” he said. “I give credit where credit’s due, and I’m sorry I called you a hayseed. I can see now you’ve got a head for affairs, and if you like to stay here and go into partnership with me and my old man we’ll give you a share in the business and a corner to sleep in at night.”