Lolo was not as strong as you are, and could never run about and play,
for he was lame, poor fellow, and always had to hop along on a little
crutch. He was never well enough to go to school, but as his fingers
were active and quick he could plait straw matting and make baskets at
home. He had four or five rosy, bright little brothers and sisters,
but they were all so strong and could play all day so easily that Lolo
was not with them much; so Moufflou was his very best friend, and they
were together all day long.

Moufflou was a snow-white poodle, with such soft, curly wool that he
looked just like a lamb; and the man who gave him to the children,
when he was a little puppy, had called him "Moufflon," which meant
sheep in his country.

Lolo's father had died four years before; but he had a mother, who had
to work very hard to keep the children clean and get them enough to
eat. He had, too, a big brother Tasso, who worked for a gardener, and
every Saturday night brought his wages home to help feed and clothe
the little children. Tasso was almost a man now, and in that country
as soon as you grow to be a man you have to go away and be a soldier;
so Lolo's mother was troubled all the time for fear that her Tasso
would be taken away. If you have money enough, you can always pay some
one to go in your place; but Tasso had no money, and neither had the
poor mother, so every day she was anxious lest her boy might have to
go to the wars.

But Lolo and Moufflon knew nothing of all this, and every day, when
Lolo was well enough, they were happy together. They would walk up the
streets, or sit on the church, steps, or, if the day was fair, would