Summary

When Nello turned six, he had to take the place of Jehan at the cart because of Jehan’s paralyzing rheumatism. Nello and Patrasche did their work together happily, and they all lived happily for a few years. They loved the springs and summers, but the winters were harder because of the cold and scarcity of food. Patrasche would pass the other cart dogs who were abused by their owners, and he thought he was the luckiest dog in the world, even though he often went to bed hungry, and his feet were often wounded from the sharp pavement.

The only thing that truly troubled Patrasche was the cathedral in Antwerp. They could see the spire from their hut. When they went to Antwerp, Nello frequently went inside the cathedral. Patrasche was always left outside, and he did not like being away from...