"Don't cry,little pointy-eared dog,"said the girl."We won't hurt you.We'll adopt you both and give you milk to drink and bones to nibble."

And the boy said,"Don't cry,little curly-eared dog.We'll be kind to you.We won't ever hit you or kick you,or pick you up by your neck or your tail,or with your legs dangling down."

When Pointy and Curly heard this,they knew they would be safe and happy,so they snuggled into the children's arms and went back to sleep.

And then they were carried away to a new and happy home,while poor little Nothing-at-all was left behind.But do you think he sat down and cried?Oh no —he had a plan!

"I'll just be very quiet and go with them,"he thought."After a while they'll get used to me and find out I'm a really truly dog even though they can't see me.Then they'll adopt me too.And they'll never hurt me but will give me milk to drink.And bones to nibble.I think I will like it very much!"

Those were his thoughts as he trotted after the boy and the girl and his two puppy brothers.