“You’d do as much to stay with me, wouldn’t you, Duke?” she asked, to encourage herself.

Duke barked.  Perhaps it was because he did not mind the heat and was anxious for a frolic.  Beth envied his spirits.  To her the way seemed very long and dusty, but on and on she trudged.  She did not know exactly where Mr. Brown lived, but thought by asking she could easily find out, and so it proved.

It was a very tired, warm, and dusty little girl who finally turned in at the Browns’.

A great, overgrown puppy rushed at Beth and Duke as they opened the gate.  At first, Beth could hardly believe her own eyes.  It scarcely seemed possible that it was the same puppy she had given Mr. Brown such a short time before.  The little fellow had outgrown all his brothers and sisters, and could no longer be rightly termed little.  Duke was unaffectedly glad to see his son.  Away they ran together.

“Duke, Duke, come back.”

Beth’s call did not bring him, but Mr. Brown came around the corner of the house.

“Why, missy,” his face lighted up in greeting.  Beth wondered how she ever thought him ugly-looking.  “You saw my puppy, didn’t you?  I tell you he’s a fine fellow.  Duke never compared with him.”

“Do you really like the puppy the best?” cried Beth, eagerly rushing up to him in her excitement.

“Not a doubt of it.”  He smiled at her evident delight.  “Gift——­”

“Is that what you call him?”

“Yes.  The name is to remind me of your kindness.  I——­”

“Was I really kind?” she interrupted wistfully.  She did not wait for an answer.  “Then perhaps you’d be willing to do me a very, very great favor.”

“What is it you want?  But you’d better sit down first.  You look tired.”

“I am a little tired.  It was pretty hot walking.”

“You don’t mean you walked here?—­and on such a hot day?”

When he found that she had, he seated her in the shade on the cool piazza, and would not listen to another word until he went into the house and returned with a bottle of orangeade for her.

“Now while you drink, I’ll tell you why I like Gift better than Duke.  In the first place, Gift really loves me—­why, I don’t believe that even such a charming little lady as you could get Gift to leave me.  Let’s try and see.  Here, Gift; come, Gift.”

The two dogs came running at his call.

“He always answers just so promptly.”  Beth noted how proud he looked.  “Now little missy, call Gift and make friends with him.”

Beth did as bidden.  Gift proved very friendly in response.  Duke seemed inclined to be jealous.

“Now missy, rise as if to go and call Gift to follow.  It will be as big a temptation as he ever had.  He doesn’t usually make friends the way he has with you and Duke.  Perhaps I’m a fool to try him so.”

“Then I will not——­”