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Page 83
As she was getting into her carriage a noble collie, but one with a
discouraged tail and hanging tongue, came out of Forest Road. He
had done a hard morning's work, of driving a flock from the
Pentlands to the cattle and sheep market, and then had hunted far
and unsuccessfully for water. He nosed along the gutter, here and
there licking from the cobblestones what muddy moisture had not
drained away from a recent rain. The same lady who had fed the
carrots to the coster's donkey in London turned hastily into Ye
Olde Greyfriars Dining-Rooms, and asked Mr. Traill for a basin of
water. The landlord thought he must have misunderstood her. "Is it
a glass of water your Leddyship's wanting?"
"No, a basin, please; a large one, and very quickly."
She took it from him, hurried out, and set it under the thirsty
animal's nose. The collie lapped it eagerly until the water was
gone, then looked up and, by waggings and lickings, asked for more.
Mr. Traill brought out a second basin, and he remarked upon a
sheep-dog's capacity for water.
"It's no' a basin will satisfy him, used as he is to having a tam
on the moor to drink from. This neeborhood is noted for the dogs
that are aye passing. On Wednesdays the farm dogs come up from the
Grassmarket, and every day there are weel-cared-for dogs from the
residence streets, dogs of all conditions across the bridge from
High Street, and meeserable waifs from the Cowgate. Stray pussies
are about, too. I'm a gude-hearted man, and an unco' observant one,
your Leddyship, but I was no' thinking that these animals must
often suffer from thirst."
"Few people do think of it. Most men can love some one dog or cat
or horse and be attentive to its wants, but they take little
thought for the world of dumb animals that are so dependent upon
us. It is no special credit to you, Mr. Traill, that you became
fond of an attractive little dog like Bobby and have cared for him
so tenderly."
The landlord gasped. He had taken not a little pride in his stanch
championship and watchful care of Bobby, and his pride had beer
increased by the admiration that had been lavished on him for years
by the general public. Now, as he afterward confessed to Mr. Brown:
"Her leddyship made me feel I'd done naething by the ordinar', but
maistly to please my ainsel'. Eh, man, she made me sing sma'."
When the collie had finished drinking, he looked up gratefully,
rubbed against the good Samaritans, waved his plumed tail like a
banner, and trotted away. After a thoughtful moment Lady
Burdett-Coutts said:
"The suitable memorial here, Mr. Traill, is a fountain, with a low
basin level with the curb, and a higher one, and Bobby sitting on
an altar-topped central column above, looking through the kirkyard
gate. It shall be his mission to bring men and small animals
together in sympathy by offering to both the cup of cold water."
She was there once again that year. On her way north she stopped in
Edinburgh over night to see how the work on the fountain had
progressed. It was in Scotland's best season, most of the days dry
and bright and sharp. But on that day it was misting, and yellow
leaves were dropping on the wet tombs and beaded grass, when the
Grand Leddy appeared at the kirkyard late in the afternoon with a
wreath of laurel to lay on Auld Jock's grave.
Bobby slipped out, dry as his own delectable bone, from under the
tomb of Mistress Jean Grant, and nearly wagged his tail off with
pleasure. Mistress Jeanie was set in a proud flutter when the Grand
Leddy rang at the lodge kitchen and asked if she and Bobby could
have their tea there with the old couple by the cozy grate fire.
They all drank tea from the best blue cups, and ate buttered scones
and strawberry jam on the scoured deal table. Bobby had his
porridge and broth on the hearth. The coals snapped in the grate
and the firelight danced merrily on the skylark's cage and the
copper kettle. Mr. Brown got out his fife and played "Bonnie
Dundee." Wee, silver-white Bobby tried to dance, but he tumbled
over so lamentably once or twice that he hung his head
apologetically, admitting that he ought to have the sense to know
that his dancing days were done. He lay down and lolled and blinked
on the hearth until the Grand Leddy rose to go.
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