in the middle of the road, the little blue-clad girl, the yellow dog,
and the basket of groceries all on the ground in the dust together;
then she saw that something was wrong, and sprang out quickly to
their assistance.

"Why, brownie! What has happened?" she cried, alarmed. "Dick, oh,
poor old doggie, whatever have you been doing?"

Well she might ask, for poor Dick was covered with dust. He had a
lump on his head, and a cut on his shoulder, and he could not help
whining, as he made another effort to rise to greet her.

Then, amidst sobs and tears Huldah told her story, and Dick meanwhile
looked up at her, a little protecting whimper escaping him from time
to time. Now that the strain was over, and relief had come, Huldah
broke down completely for a time. She was trembling in every limb,
and was white to the lips. Miss Rose saw that the best thing for
them both was to get them home as quickly as possible.

Half lifting Huldah, she helped her into the carriage. Then she put
Dick in across her lap, and her basket at her feet, and finally got
in herself.

"Now then," she said, cheeringly, "we shall soon be home, and Dick
shall have his bruises bathed and his poor leg bound up. Don't cry
any more, brownie, or you will frighten Mrs. Perry, and we mustn't do
that on any account, must we? Dick is going to be very brave--he
always is--and you are going to be as plucky as Dick. See there, he
is better already," as the invalid gave a bark of excitement, at the
sight of some sparrows in the road.