Beppo was standing between his legs, licking Dolly's small hand, which hung languidly by her side.

Her eyelids were closed, and her face was deadly white; but when Tony uttered a great cry of trouble, and fell on his knees before her, she opened her heavy eyes, and stretched out her cold thin hand to stroke his cheeks.

"Dolly's so very ill, Tony," she murmured, "poor Dolly's very ill indeed." "I don't know whatever is the matter with my little love," said the old man, in a low and trembling voice; "she fell down all of a sudden, and I thought she was dead, Tony; but she's coming round again now.

Isn't my little love better now ?" "Yes, gan-pa, yes; Dolly's better," she answered faintly.
"Let me hold her, master," said Tony, his heart beating fast; "I can hold her stronger and more comfortable, maybe, than you.

You're tired ever so, and you'd better get yourself a bit of dinner.