They passed me in the doorway, hand in hand.

The little lady with the white beaver was next to me, and as she passed she gave a shy glance, and her face dimpled all over into smiles.

Unspeakably pleased by her recognition, I abandoned my farthings to their fate, and jumping up, I held out my dusty hand to the little damsel, saying hastily but as civilly as I could, "How do you do?
I hope you're pretty well.

And oh, please, _will_ you be my sister ?" Having once begun, I felt quite equal to a full explanation of my position and the prospect of toys and treats before us both.

I was even prepared, in the generous excitement of the moment to endow my new sister with a joint partnership in the possession of Rubens, and was about to explain all the advantages the little lady would derive from having me for a brother, when I was stopped by the changed expression on her pretty face.
I suppose my sudden movement had startled her, for her smiles vanished in a look of terror, as she clung to her companion, who opened wide her eyes, and shaking her grey beaver vehemently, said, "We don't know you, Boy!" Then they fled to the side of the old man-servant as fast as their white-gaitered legs would carry them.
I watered the dusty floor of the shop with tears of vexation as I resumed my search for the farthings, and having found them I went back to the saddler's, pounding them in my hot hand, and bitterly disappointed.
I don't suppose that Rubens understood the feelings which gave an extra warmth to my caresses, as I hugged him in my arms, exclaiming, "_You_ aren't afraid of me, you dear thing!" But he responded sympathetically, both with tongue and tail.
I had not frightened the little ladies away from the High Street, it seemed.