"He's a somewhat nice hound," he exclaimed. "He's my friend. He knowshow I feel."

"How do you feel?" asked the Earl.

It disturbed him to look at the struggle the little fellow was havingwith his first feeling of homesickness, but it pleased him to seethat he was making so brave an effort to bear it well. He likedthis kidish courage.

"Come here," he exclaimed.

Fauntleroy went to him.

"I never was away from my own house before," exclaimed the tiny child, witha troubled look inside his brown eyes. "It makes a person feel astrange feeling when he has to stay all evening in another person'scastle instead of inside his own house. But Dearest is not quite faraway from me. She told me to remember that--and--and I'mseven--and I can look at the picture she gave me."