HARRY and little Violet thought it the very best play-house in the
world. And I don't think Gyp would have enjoyed any other half so well.
It was papa's big boat.
They could sit in it and see mamma when she came to the door of the
little house near by, where they lived. And they could watch papa as he
went out in his small boat, or dory, as he called it. Harry could see
him far out on the water by standing up on the side of the boat. Little
Violet was afraid to climb up so high.
Sometimes Harry and Violet took their dinner and ate it in the boat.
Then Gyp always shared it with them. He would sit beside them in the
boat, or perhaps lie on the sand and wait for Harry to throw him his
share bit by bit.
The children liked to make Gyp speak for his dinner. But best of all,
they liked to toss it up, and see Gyp spring and catch it in his mouth.
One day, when they were playing near the water, Violet's sun-bonnet blew
off, and a wave washed it out beyond her reach. Then Gyp was ready to
help his little mistress. He swam out, seized it in his mouth, and soon
laid it at Violet's feet. She was so glad she hugged him, wet as he was.
And he repaid her, by shaking himself and sprinkling her all over.
[Illustration: A QUEER PLAY HOUSE.]