“Papa, let’s take him home with us,” begged Marian.

Mr. Davenport, however, would not listen to the suggestion.

“He is a very valuable dog, and it would not be honorable,” he declared.  “Push him out immediately.”

Both children began pleading, but Mr. Davenport proved relentless.  Therefore, Duke was finally put out of the carriage.

“Go home, Duke,” cried Mr. Davenport, driving on.

The children looked back to see if the dog obeyed.  To their joy, they saw him following as unconcerned as before.  Mr. Davenport took out the whip and waved it at him.  Duke stopped a second or two, and then started after them at a little greater distance.

“Well,” said Mr. Davenport, “all we can do is to let him come with us now.  To-morrow, I shall inquire in town and find his owner.”

So Duke lodged at the Davenports that night, and was treated by the children as a royal guest.  He captivated their hearts from the first, and he fully responded to their love.

At breakfast the next morning, Mr. Davenport looked up from his paper and said: 

“Well, here is a notice of Duke’s loss.  I do not wonder that he ran away.  This Brown who advertises is one of the hardest drinkers in town.  Poor dog, to have such a master.”

“Papa, couldn’t you buy Duke?” asked Beth.

“I may consider the matter.  Don’t set your heart on the dog, however.  He is very valuable, and Brown may not wish to part with him.”

That day, at noon, Beth and Duke were frolicing near the barn.  Suddenly, without seeming cause, Duke rushed towards the house, looking crestfallen.  Beth, however, soon saw why Duke had run.  She beheld a man walking up the driveway towards her.  She had grown accustomed to Southern politeness, and resented the man’s not raising his hat when he said: 

“Hello, little un.  I’ve come after my dog.  Where is he?”

Beth’s heart sank.  “Who are you?” she stammered.

“My name is Brown, and I’ve come after Duke.”

“But I thought my papa was going to buy him.”

The man laughed.  “The old fellow did offer to buy him, but I wouldn’t sell.  I told him I wouldn’t take a hundred dollars for the dog.  But hurry up, little un, and get Duke for me.”

Beth felt more resentful than ever.  The man had dared to call her father “old fellow,” and herself “little un.”  Besides, he had come for Duke.  There were tears in her eyes, but she brushed them angrily away, and declared defiantly: 

“You can hunt him up for yourself.  I don’t know where he is.”

The man swore under his breath, and muttered something about having no use for people who tried to steal dogs.  However, he moved on towards the house.

Beth was so anxious about the outcome of his errand that she followed at a cautious distance.

The man met Maggie at the kitchen door.