"W'y, that little dog's got _grown_-people's sense!-- See how he gits out under the fence?-- And watch him a-whettin' his hind-legs 'fore His dead square run of a miled er more-- 'Cause _Noey_'s a-comin', and Trip allus knows When _Noey_'s a-comin'--and off he goes!-- Putts out to meet him and--_There they come now!_ Well-sir! it's raially singalar how That dog kin _tell_,-- But he knows as well When Noey's a-comin' home!--Reckon his _smell_ 'Ud carry two miled?--You needn't to _smile_-- He runs to meet _him_, ever'-once-n-a-while, Two miled and over--when he's slipped away And left him at home here, as he's done to-day-- 'Thout ever knowin' where Noey wuz goin'-- But that little dog allus hits the right way! Hear him a-whinin' and scratchin' agin?-- (_Little tormentin' fice!_) Jane: Let him in.
"--You say he ain't _there?_-- Well now, I declare!-- Lem _me_ limp out and look! ... I wunder where-- _Heuh_, Trip!--_Heuh_, Trip!--_Heuh_, Trip!... _There_-- _There_ he is!--Little sneak!--What-a'-you-'bout?-- _There_ he is--quiled up as meek as a mouse, His tail turnt up like a teakittle-spout, A-sunnin' hisse'f at the side o' the house! _Next_ time you scratch, sir, you'll haf to git in, My fine little feller, the best way you kin! --Noey _he_ learns him sich capers!--And they-- _Both_ of 'em's ornrier every day!-- _Both_ tantalizin' and meaner'n sin-- Allus a--(_Listen there!_)--Jane: Let him in.
"--O! yer so _innocent!_ hangin' yer head!-- (Drat ye! you'd _better_ git under the bed!) --Listen at that!-- He's tackled the cat!-- Hah, there! you little rip! come out o' that!-- Git yer blame little eyes scratched out 'Fore you know what yer talkin' about!-- _Here!_ come away from there!--(Let him alone-- He'll snap _you_, I tell ye, as quick as a bone!) _Hi_, Trip!--_Hey_, here!--What-a'-you-'bout!-- _Oo! ouch!_ 'Ll I'll be blamed!--_Blast ye!_ GIT OUT! ... O, it ain't nothin'--jist _scratched_ me, you see.-- Hadn't no idy he'd try to bite _me_! _Plague take him!_--Bet he'll not try _that_ agin!-- Hear him yelp.--(_Pore feller!_) Jane: Let him in."
"Hey, Bud! O Bud!" rang out a gleeful call,-- "_The Loehrs is come to your house!_" And a small But very much elated little chap, In snowy linen-suit and tasseled cap, Leaped from the back-fence just across the street From Bixlers', and came galloping to meet His equally delighted little pair Of playmates, hurrying out to join him there-- "_The Loehrs is come!--The Loehrs is come!_" his glee Augmented to a pitch of ecstasy Communicated wildly, till the cry "_The Loehrs is come!_" in chorus quavered high And thrilling as some paean of challenge or Soul-stirring chant of armied conqueror. And who this _avant courier_ of "the Loehrs"?-- This happiest of all boys out-o'-doors-- Who but Will Pierson, with his heart's excess Of summer-warmth and light and breeziness! "From our front winder I 'uz first to see 'Em all a-drivin' into town!" bragged he-- "An' seen 'em turnin' up the alley where _Your_ folks lives at. An' John an' Jake wuz there Both in the wagon;--yes, an' Willy, too; An' Mary--Yes, an' Edith--with bran-new An' purtiest-trimmed hats 'at ever wuz!-- An' Susan, an' Janey.--An' the _Hammonds-uz_ In their fine buggy 'at they're ridin' roun' So much, all over an' aroun' the town An' _ever_'wheres,--them _city_-people who's A-visutin' at Loehrs-uz!"