  Characters—Odd Man, True, Big Black Dog Odd Man. [To the dog.] Who are you, and why do you come into my cave? True. I am a poor dog, sir, who has lost his way. Will you be so kind as to tell me how I may get out? Odd Man. No, I will not. But I will tell you what you may do if you like. You may stay here in my cave and work for me. True. I will do that if you will not let me out. But what work do you wish me to do? Odd Man. Well, well, you see I have here a great bag full of gold. I have to sit on it all the time. True. Why must you sit on it? Odd Man. I will tell you. Near my cave lives an ogre. This ogre wants to kill me so that he can get my gold. True. Dear me! Odd Man. If I go to sleep or move away he will try to get at me. I am just worn out for want of rest. True. Dear me! How can I help you? Odd Man. Well, if you would stay by me and watch for the ogre, I might take a short nap. True. I will do that! And you, sir, go to sleep. [Odd Man goes to sleep. Big Black Dog enters.] Big Black Dog. Good day, little dog. How do you do? True. I am very well, I thank you; but who are you? Big Black Dog. My name is Nip, and I True. No; I said I would take care of this cave for the Odd Man, and I will do it. Big Black Dog. But the Odd Man is asleep. He will not see you. Come, now, come along with me! True. No, I will not go. Big Black Dog. Then give me a bone, will you? True. I cannot, for they are not mine; the Odd Man may give you one, by and by. [Big Black Dog goes to get a bone.] True. Bow-wow-wow! Odd Man. [Opening his eyes.] What was that? You woke me out of my nap. True. Oh, sir, it was a big black dog. It came into the cave and was stealing a bone. Odd Man. Oh! That was the ogre in the dress of a black dog. Here, you may have a bone. You were a good dog to bark and wake me up. What more can I do to show you how glad I am? True. Oh, sir, may I go out of the cave now? I want to see a nice, nice cat that is waiting outside. Odd Man. Very well, good dog. The ogre will not come back again, and I can take a good nap. Here is a door in the side of the cave. I will open it, and you can go.—Good-by. |
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