and had a frolic around the room.

When any one came in, and Miss Laura had us show off any of our
tricks, the remark always was, "What clever dogs. They are not
like other dogs."

That was a mistake. Billy and I were not any brighter than many a
miserable cur that skulked about the streets of Fairport. It was
kindness and patience that did it all. When I was with Jenkins he
thought I was a very stupid dog. He would have laughed at the idea
of any one teaching me anything. But I was only sullen and
obstinate, because I was kicked about so much. If he had been kind
to me, I would have done anything for him.

I loved to wait on Miss Laura and Mrs. Morris and they taught
both Billy and me to make ourselves useful about the house. Mrs.
Morris didn't like going up and down the three long staircases, and
sometimes we just raced up and down, waiting on her.

How often I have heard her go into the hall and say, "Please send
me down a clean duster, Laura. Joe, you get it." I would run gayly
up the steps, and then would come Billy's turn. "Billy, I have
forgotten my keys. Go get them."

After a time we began to know the names of different articles, and
where they were kept, and could get them ourselves. On sweeping
days we worked very hard, and enjoyed the fun. If Mrs. Morris was
too far away to call to Mary for what she wanted, she wrote the
name on a piece of paper, and told us to take it to her.