But how to get the collar, was the question that perplexed him.

He had asked his father to buy it, and met with a flat refusal.
He had even called at several shops, and inquired the price of the coveted article, but it was hopelessly beyond his means.

The subject lay heavily upon his mind for several days, for when he took a notion that he wanted a thing, it was hard to reason or drive him out of it.
His thoughts and his dreams were of brass dog-collars, and his talk among his companions run upon the same theme.

At length, while prosecuting his inquiries, he happened to learn that a little boy who attended his school, owned just such a collar as he wanted, and had no dog to wear it.

Here was a chance for a speculation.