All I ask of a dog is to bark at the right time.

I'll do the rest.

Would you like to come and be my boy, Billy ?" Billy leaned against Mrs.Comstock, reached his arms around her neck and gripped her with all his puny might.

"You can whip me all you want to," he said.

"I won't make a sound." Mrs.Comstock held him closely and her hard face was softening; of that there could be no doubt.
"Now, why would any one whip a nice little boy like you ?" she asked wonderingly.
"She"-- Billy from his refuge waved toward Margaret--"she was going to whip me 'cause her cats fought, when I tied their tails together and hung them over the line to dry.