"
"If we went on boldly they would see we are not tramps," said Janet.
"Depend on it they will let no one pass in Church time."
So it proved, for Janet's attempt to move forward elicited a growl
from the sheep-dog, and a leap forward of the "little dogs and all,"
which daunted even her stout heart.
However, calls were heard, and the bright vision of the bridge came
darting among the dogs, scolding and driving them in, and Allen
himself came out to the gate, all bandaged up on one side, but waving
his arm as a signal to his mother and sister to advance. They did so
nervously but safely, while the growls of the sheep-dog sounded like
distant thunder, and the terrier uttered his protest from the door.
Allen declared himself much better, and said he should be quite able
to go home to-morrow, only this was such a jolly place; and then he
brought them into the beautiful old kitchen with a magnificent open
hearth, inclosed by two fine dark walnut-wood settles, making a
little carpeted chamber between them. Here Allen had the farmer's
armchair and a footstool, and with "Foxe's Martyrs" open at a flaming
illustration on the little round table before him, appeared to be
spending his Sunday as luxuriously as the big tabby cat who shared
the hearth with him.
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