`` He is not too old to learn . Shall I go on ? '' asked Miss Celia , seeing that the boys liked it , though Betty was absorbed with the doll , and Bab deep in a puzzle . `` Oh , yes ! What else did they do ? '' `` They played a game of dominoes together , sitting in chairs opposite each other , and touched the dominoes that were wanted ; but the man placed them and kept telling how the game went . Lyda was beaten , and hid under the sofa , evidently feeling very badly about it . Blanche was then surrounded with playing-cards , while her master held another pack and told us to choose a card ; then he asked her what one had been chosen , and she always took up the right one in her teeth . I was asked to go into another room , put a light on the floor with cards round it , and leave the doors nearly shut . Then the man begged some one to whisper in the dog 's ear what card she was to bring , and she went at once and fetched it , thus showing that she understood their names . Lyda did many tricks with the numbers , so curious that no dog could possibly understand them ; yet what the secret sign was I could not discover , but suppose it must have been in the tones of the master 's voice , for he certainly made none with either head or hands . `` It took an hour a day for eighteen months to educate a dog enough to appear in public , and -LRB- as you say , Ben -RRB- the night was the best time to give the lessons . Soon after this visit , the master died ; and these wonderful dogs were sold because their mistress did not know how to exhibit them . '' `` Would n't I have liked to see 'em and find out how they were taught ! Sanch , you 'll have to study up lively , for I 'm not going to have you beaten by French dogs , '' said Ben , shaking his finger so sternly that Sancho grovelled at his feet and put both paws over his eyes in the most abject manner . `` Is there a picture of those smart little poodles ? '' asked Ben , eying the book , which Miss Celia left open before her . `` Not of them , but of other interesting creatures ; also anecdotes about horses , which will please you , I know , '' and she turned the pages for him , neither guessing how much good Mr. Hamerton 's charming `` Chapters on Animals '' were to do the boy when he needed comfort for a sorrow which was very near . CHAPTER X A HEAVY TROUBLE `` Thank you , ma'am , that 's a tip-top book , ` specially the pictures . But I ca n't bear to see these poor fellows ; '' and Ben brooded over the fine etching of the dead and dying horses on a battle-field , one past all further pain , the other helpless , but lifting his head from his dead master to neigh a farewell to the comrades who go galloping away in a cloud of dust .
`` They ought to stop for him , some of 'em , '' muttered Ben , hastily turning back to the cheerful picture of the three happy XXXXX in the field , standing knee-deep among the grass as they prepare to drink at the wide stream .
creatures dog dogs hands head horses master paws time tricks