A Pair of Clogs | Page 5

the
days when he had had to learn to dance, and what it was to shrink from
blows, and to howl with pain and fear under punishment. Times were
not so bad for him now, because his education was over, but still he had
to work hard for his living. In every town they passed he must stiffen
his long thin back, raise himself on his small feet, and dance gravely to
the sound of the tambourine; if this happened at the end of a long day's
tramp, it was both difficult and painful, but he seldom failed, for he
knew the consequences--no supper and a beating.
Accordingly, until a certain sign was given, he kept one pink-rimmed
eye on his mistress's face, and revolved slowly round and round, with
drooping paws and an elegant curtsying movement, the centre of an
admiring ring. Sometimes, when the performance was over, and he
carried round a small tin plate for coppers, the spectators would drop
off one by one, and give him nothing; sometimes he got a good deal,
and took it to his mistress with joyful wags of his ragged tasselled tail.
Now, Mossoo had noticed the addition of baby to the accustomed party,
and also her passionate sobs and cries. She was in trouble, as he had
often been, and one day this trouble was even deeper than usual. They
had stopped to rest in a little wayside copse, and after the donkey was
unharnessed the man and the two boys had started off on a foraging
expedition, or, in other words, to see what they could beg or steal from
the farmyards and houses near. Mossoo was left behind. Crouched on
the ground, with his nose between his paws, he kept a watchful eye on
Seraminta, who was busying herself with the child. She was going to
make her "so as her own mother wouldn't know her." And first with a
piece of rag she smeared over her pretty white skin with some dark
juice out of a bottle; next she took off the little frock and underclothes
which Maggie had always kept so neatly, and put on her a frock and
petticoat of stiff striped stuff. Then she proceeded to remove the one
little clog, but this baby resented. She had been quiet till now, and
allowed her things to be changed without resistance, but this last
indignity was too much. She fought, and kicked, and cried, and pushed
at the woman with her tiny hands. Poor baby! They were far too small
and weak to be of any use. In no time the friendly little clog, with its
glistening clasp and bright toe, was gone, and in its place there was an

ugly broken-out boot which had once belonged to Bennie. Her work
done, Seraminta put the child on the ground and gave her a hard crust
to play with. Baby immediately threw it from her with all her strength,
cast herself flat on her face, and shrieked with anger and distress. She
was heartbroken to have the clog taken from her, and cried as violently
for it as she had done for mammy.
"You've got a fine temper of yer own, my young queen," said
Seraminta, looking down at the small sobbing form. She did not
attempt to quiet her, but turning away proceeded to arrange some
bundles in the cart which stood at a short distance.
Mossoo was not so indifferent; he had watched the whole affair, and if
he did not understand why the baby cried, at least he knew she was in
trouble. True he had not seen a stick used, but here was the same result.
He went and sat down near her, and wagged his tail to show he
sympathised, but as she was lying on her face she did not even know he
was there, and the sobs continued. Finding this, Mossoo sat for some
time with his tongue hanging out, uncertain how to proceed, but
presently noticing a little bit of bare fat neck he gave it a gentle lick.
Baby turned her head; there were two bright eyes with pink rims close
to her, and a ragged fringe of dirty-white hair, and a red tongue lolling
out; she was so startled at this that she screamed louder than ever, and
hid her face again. Unsuccessful, but full of zeal and compassion, the
poodle next bethought himself of finding her a stick or a stone to throw
for him; Bennie was never tired of playing this game with him, and
perhaps the baby might like it too. He ran sniffing about with his nose
to the ground, and presently caught sight of something that glistened,
lying in the grass near the cart. It was the little clog. Quite unconscious
of