Patricia | Page 6

hand. "It's hours and hours since I've seen you, Daddy."
Dr. Kirby took the outstretched hand gravely. "From your aunt's account, there would appear to have been hours and hours in which she did not see you, Patricia?"
"I'm afraid I was gone a long while, Daddy; but I came home just as soon as I got things straightened out.
"Suppose you give me the particulars, Patricia."
And moving so as to rest her head on her father's knee, Patricia told in detail the story of her day's experiences. She had the comforting conviction that when Daddy knew all he would not be very displeased with her.
More than once, during that recital, the doctor's mouth twitched under his mustache, and he turned rather suddenly to look out of the window.
"But, Pat," he exclaimed, as she finished, "what made it so imperative for you to find that tramp dog a home?"
Patricia's gray eyes were very earnest. "Some one had to do it, Daddy."
The doctor smoothed back the soft, thick curls. "But, Pat, I cannot have you burdening yourself with the responsibility of finding homes for all the stray animals that cross your path."
"He was so miserable, Daddy--outside; and so really nice--inside. I don't believe he liked being a tramp dog."
The doctor stooped and kissed her; it was not easy to be severe with Patricia. "Still, dear, it must not happen again; you run too great a risk; stray dogs are not always very dependable as to temper."
"It's going to be mighty hard not to, Daddy."
"And Patricia, where are my scissors, and salve, and soap?"
"I'm afraid--down by the brook; so's the towel. I was glad I'd watched you bandage Caesar's paw that time."
"That is all very well; but, Patricia, you are not to meddle with any of the office things again without permission. And now, about this matter of breaking bounds to-day?"
Patricia looked up quickly. "You--you'll 'take the intention into consideration,' Daddy?"
The doctor smiled. "Yes, but," his face grew grave again, "I must also take into consideration the fact that this is by no means the first time you have gone wandering off, causing your aunt a great deal of anxiety."
"I can't think why she will worry so. I always come back all right."
"That is not the point. It must be only the yard for the rest of the week, Patricia."
Patricia drew a long breath. "Well," she said, slowly, "I am glad it's Thursday night 'stead of Monday morning."
* * * * *
Patricia sat up in bed, rubbing her eyes. What had wakened her?
A second series of short, sharp little barks sent her hurrying to the window. On the path below, a bit of frayed rope dangling from his neck, stood Custard.
When the doctor came downstairs, twenty minutes later, he found Patricia on the back steps, with Custard in her lap, busily placing a fresh bandage on the hurt paw. "Daddy," she cried, lifting her face for his morning greeting, "wasn't it too lovely of him to hunt me up. Isn't he the most grateful dog ever was?"
The doctor patted the dog's rough head, then stooped to examine Patricia's work. "Not a bad job for an eleven-year-old, Pat."
"I could do it better, only I had to make a strip from a piece I found in Aunt Julia's scrap-bag," Patricia explained.
"Patricia!" Miss Kirby exclaimed from the doorway, "your dress is only half buttoned, and your hair is--Patricia Kirby, have you gone and hunted up another dog!"
"It's the same one, Aunt Julia. He has improved a lot, hasn't he? If you'd seen how glad he was to see me! I suppose he'll have to be sent back. C?sar likes him pretty well; he didn't growl at him once when I introduced them to each other."
"It's a question whether sending back will do any good," the doctor said. He was watching the two on the steps.
Patricia stroked the bandaged paw gently. "I can't take him--I can't go out of the yard, can I, Daddy?"
"Decidedly not."
"Couldn't you take him in the gig with you, Patrick?" Miss Kirby felt that she was playing a losing game.
"Going quite in the opposite direction."
"And Jim?"
"Goes with me." The doctor was still studying the two on the steps.
"If he stays one day we are doomed!" Miss Kirby declared.
"That only leaves you and Sarah, doesn't it, Aunt Julia?" Patricia asked, cheerfully.
Miss Kirby was not without a sense of humor. "I am afraid Sarah is out of the question," she said; "and if he waits for me to take him he will stay here--altogether."
Patricia was quick to catch the longed-for concession in her aunt's voice. Dropping Custard, she ran to hug Miss Kirby. "Oh, you darling! But, Daddy," she turned anxiously, "oh, do you suppose Mr. Carr will mind very much?"
"I rather think he will be able to bear the disappointment," the doctor answered.

CHAPTER II
THE GINGHAM APRON