When Anna caught sight of her pet, she cried out, "Niki! Oh, I thought you were lost! I thought the naughty boy had stolen you! Come to me, Niki!"
She held out her arms. But Tony drew Tina away from her. Why did his throat feel so full and queer? Why did his nose tickle and his eyes blur with tears?
No! No! He could not give up his Tina! Anna had everything and he had only this little dog! It was not fair.
He planted his poor, wobbly legs as sturdily as he could. His dark eyes flashed at the little girl.
"Do not touch her!" he cried. "She bites!"
"She is a bad dog!" continued Tony. "It is not safe for you to keep her. She has bitten me."
The mother went forward and gently touched Tony's sleeve.
"Where has the dog bitten you, my poor boy?" she inquired.
"Turn around and let me see," said the good woman.
But Tony did not turn around. Instead, he fell upon his knees and clutched the skirt of Anna's mother.
"I have lied again! Oh, forgive me!" he sobbed. "What I just said was not true. Tina does not bite. She is the gentlest little dog that ever lived. And I am the greatest liar!"
He was sobbing so that the woman could hardly understand him. He tried hard to explain everything that had happened to him. But he felt weak and could barely talk.
Anna's mother raised him to his feet and led him to a bedroom. Here she undressed him and prepared a bath.
At first this frightened Tony. There were no bathrooms in the house where he had lived! But somehow, he felt that this kind woman would not hurt him. He allowed her to bathe him and put him to bed.
He soon found himself tucked between clean, cool sheets. The woman was offering him something to drink. His eyes were closing. Then he was asleep.
When he awoke it was late afternoon. The window shades were drawn and the room was fairly dark.
Tony lay gazing up at the smooth, white ceiling. He felt well and strong now. He thought that he loved the mother of Anna better than anyone he had ever known. Yes, better even than Tina!
How could he have lied to Anna again? After promising himself that he would change. After that terrible dream! Oh, surely that would be his last lie! Surely!
As he lay with his thoughts, the door slowly opened. Anna peeped in. She held Tina in her arms. When she saw Tony's eyes open, she came into the room.