knows he is to take back fourpence. I will give him a penny
short.' So she took the sixpence and gave the dog threepence out of it.
The dog shook his head and looked gravely into her face. 'That's all
you'll get,' said she. The dog shook his head again, and tapped his paw
once on the counter, as much as to say, 'I'm not to be done: a penny
more, if you please.' 'If you'll not take that, you shall have nothing,'
said Mrs. Traill, and she took back the threepence."

"Dear! and what did the dog do then,--snarl or bite?" "Not so; he knew
he was in his rights, and did not lower himself by showing bad temper.
The dog looked quietly round, saw a basket which contained two or three
pounds of candles lying in a corner for the shop boy to take to some
customer; took up the basket in his mouth, and turned tail, as much as to
say, 'Tit for tat then.' He understood, you see, what is called 'the law
of reprisals.' 'Come back this moment,' cried Mrs. Traill. The dog
walked out of the shop; then she ran after him, and counted the fourpence
before him, on which he dropped the basket, picked up the right change,
and went off demurely. 'To whom does that poodle belong?' said I. 'To a
poor drunken man,' said Mrs. Traill; 'I wish it was in better hands.'
'So do I, ma'am,' answered I; 'did he teach it?' 'No, it was taught by
his brother, who was an old soldier, and died in his house two weeks ago.
It knows a great many tricks, and is quite young. It might make a
fortune as a show, sir.' So I was thinking. I inquired the owner's
address, called on him, and found him disposed to sell the dog. But he
asked L3, a sum that seemed out of the question then. Still I kept the
dog in my eye; called every day to make friends with it, and ascertain
its capacities. And at last, thanks to you, Sophy, I bought the dog; and
what is more, as soon as I had two golden sovereigns to show, I got him
for that sum, and we have still L1. left (besides small savings from our
lost salaries) to go to the completion of his education, and the