"Yes, miss," said Tom, with alacrity, pulling his forelock, and grinning all over his bright little face, as he clutched hold of the bit of strap that did duty for a collar, and dragged the terrier up to Monica’s couch. "I hope you’re better, miss," he ventured to say shyly, for Barnes, of whom he stood greatly in awe, was looking severely at him, and he had been bidden "to mind his behaviour." "Oh, yes," said Monica, carelessly; she had no thoughts to spare on herself just then. "What’s his name, Tom? Do put him up beside me." "Be careful, now," said Barnes, a trifle sharply; she was not best pleased at this introduction into the household. "Remember your leg, Miss Monica." "All right, Barnes, don’t fidget! See, he’s as quiet as possible. Good boy, dear old fellow!" and Monica stroked the ginger coloured head, and looked into the liquid brown eyes which had a wistful expression in them. He pricked up his ears at the tones of endearment, and licked her hands in response. "’E ’ave took to you, an’ no mistake, miss," said Tom, with huge delight. "Jack ’e ’ave been called, miss," he added, in answer to Monica’s query, "but you’ll find ’im a grander name, miss, now." "No, I think Jack will do very well," said Monica, and the little dog, who knew by her fondling that he was being loved and made much of, gave a little grunt of satisfaction, and curled himself round on the couch beside his new mistress. "Isn’t he sweet, Barnes?" "Oh, he’s a nice enough little dog, as dogs go, Miss Monica, but I have no particular fancy for them," was the maid’s somewhat grudging reply. And then she added: "Now then, my boy, you’d better be off to your work again." "Yes’m. Good mornin’, miss," stammered Tom, in confusion, for Barnes’ repelling tones made him feel as if he had done something wrong. "Oh, good-bye, Tom. I’m awfully glad to have Jack," said Monica, with a bright smile, which made the little lad feel at ease again, and remained in his memory for many a day. "I shall be coming out on the lawn in a few days’ time, and then you must come round and see him." The little newcomer proved an endless source of pleasure and amusement to Monica; he had such quaint ways, and made himself thoroughly happy and contented in his new home. Even Mrs. Beauchamp was obliged to confess that he was no trouble; he spent hours curled up on the rug which was thrown over Monica’s knees, as if he had been accustomed to an invalid mistress all his life. "You wait until this tiresome sprain is well," Monica would often say to him, "and then you shall have a very different existence, Jack." The old doctor made great friends with him when he came to see his patient the next morning, and went off chuckling with pleasure over the result of his plain-speaking to Mrs. Beauchamp, a few days before.