Spot had
very few teeth, and his legs were stiff. He had only one vice,
jealousy. Fearing that Fossette might be receiving the entire
attention of his mistresses, he had come to inquire into the
situation. When he found the justification of his gloomiest
apprehensions, he nosed obstinately up to Constance, and would not
be put off. In vain Constance told him at length that he was
interfering with the treatment. In vain Sophia ordered him sharply
to go away. He would not listen to reason, being furious with
jealousy. He got his foot into the basket.
"Will you!" exclaimed Sophia angrily, and gave him a clout on his
old head. He barked snappishly, and retired to the kitchen again,
disillusioned, tired of the world, and nursing his terrific
grievance. "I do declare," said Sophia, "that dog gets worse and
worse."
Constance said nothing.
When everything was done that could be done for the aged virgin in
the basket, the sisters rose from their knees, stiffly; and they
began to whisper to each other about the prospects of obtaining a
fresh servant. They also debated whether they could tolerate the
criminal eccentricities of the present occupant of the cave for
yet another three weeks.
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