For weeks he appeared each morning and afternoon, sullen, and unhappy.
Then something occured that made him change his mind, and his eyes
grow bright, and his heart grow lighter.

Out of all Avondale, Princess Polly was the only person who spoke
kindly to him. Wild, careless Gyp fairly worshipped the blue eyed,
golden haired little girl who always gave him a pleasant word, and a
smile.

One morning, after a heavy storm, the avenues were in fair condition,
until the pupils reached a place where they must cross to the opposite
side of the street to enter the school yard.

Gyp was not afraid of muddying his shoes, because they were so shabby
that a little mud could not make them look worse. He sat on the wall
and laughed as he saw the girls try to cross the puddle without wetting
their feet.

"Oh, look at the ducks! No, geese!" he cried, adding: "Don't be 'fraid.
Water won't hurt ye!"

After the other girls had reached the sidewalk, Princess Polly came
tripping along.

She had intended to walk to school with Rose and Sprite, but Sprite,
not quite ready, had asked Polly to go along, and she would soon be
ready, and would overtake her.

Gyp saw her coming, and stopped laughing.