“The dear Fritz!  He is right, but I am sorry he takes it so much to heart.”

“You know, Aunt Fanny, that Pixy is but a dog, and has not a man’s understanding.”

“Yes, Fritz, I remember that much of my studies in natural history,” laughed his aunt.

“I have not as much understanding as a man, either, or I would not have brought Pixy to Frankfort.”

“The boy is certainly right there.”

“I am sorry that you stood and held him while we were in the buildings and you had to run and jump when I called ‘Pixy!’ If he had not come he would have been disobedient or stupid; and my father will tell you that he is neither disobedient nor stupid.  You will not have to hold his cord again.”

“Now what does he mean by saying I will not have to stand and hold his cord again?”

“We are now on our way home,” continued Paul, “and papa will be glad to see me and Pixy.”

“For heaven’s sake!  Has the boy run off?”

“Yes, he must mean that,” replied Paul.

“Oh, he is only joking.  Run to your room, Franz, and see if he has taken his knapsack.”

“Yes, and his rain-coat is gone.  Shall we finish reading the letter?”

“Yes,” said Mrs. Steiner with tears in her eyes.

“Dear Aunt Fanny, I thank you for your goodness, and for the mark you gave me; and want to say that I will never again bring a dog to visit Frankfort.”

“Oh, that boy has made my heart heavy!  I feel as if I will never see him again and it is all Pixy’s fault.  Is that all?”

“Yes, and oh, Aunt Fanny, I wish we had not been so harsh with Fritz in regard to Pixy,” said Paul.

“Now you are trying to make me more unhappy than I am when I am enough distressed that the boy has run away without bidding us good-bye.”

“No, but we are to blame.  We were as glad as was Fritz that Pixy was with us on the way to Frankfort; then when he became a trouble we blamed Fritz.  I wish we could do something now.  Perhaps the train has not left for the Odenwald, and if we go to the depot he may be there, and we can bring him and Pixy back.”

“Oh, you dear boy, to think of this!  Yes, go quickly.  But hark!  I hear a step on the porch.  He is at the hall door.  Yes, thank heaven, the boy has come back of his own free will!” And she ran and opened the door.

“Fritz!  Fritz!” she called as she saw the tall form of her brother, and, clasping his hand, she led him to the sitting-room.  “Did you see Fritz at the station?”

“No, is he not here?”

“He left for home without bidding us good-bye, and it is all on account of the dog.  The boys were just going to the depot to see if he is there.”

“It is no use to go.  If he had been there, I would have seen him, and Pixy would have found me.”

“What are we to do about it?”

“Do nothing.  It will be an experience for him to be allowed to follow his own inclination in the matter.  He will be surprised when he reaches home to know that I am here.  I am on my way to Cassel on business and stopped off to see you and my boy.”