His name is Christopher Columbus . Mrs. Bhaer named him because she likes to say Christopher Columbus , and no one minds it if she means the dog , '' answered Tommy , in the tone of a show-man displaying his menagerie . `` The white pup is Rob 's , and the yellow one is Teddy 's . A man was going to drown them in our pond , and Pa Bhaer would n't let him . They do well enough for the little chaps , I do n't think much of 'em myself . Their names are Castor and Pollux . '' `` I 'd like Toby the donkey best , if I could have anything , it 's so nice to ride , and he 's so little and good , '' said Nat , remembering the weary tramps he had taken on his own tired feet . `` Mr. Laurie sent him out to Mrs. Bhaer , so she should n't carry Teddy on her back when we go to walk . We 're all fond of Toby , and he 's a first-rate donkey , sir . Those pigeons belong to the whole lot of us , we each have our pet one , and go shares in all the little ones as they come along . Squabs are great fun ; there ai n't any now , but you can go up and take a look at the old fellows , while I see if Cockletop and Granny have laid any eggs . '' Nat climbed up a ladder , put his head through a trap door and took a long look at the pretty doves billing and cooing in their spacious loft . Some on their nests , some bustling in and out , and some sitting at their doors , while many went flying from the sunny housetop to the straw-strewn farmyard , where six sleek cows were placidly ruminating . `` Everybody has got something but me . I wish I had a dove , or a hen , or even a turtle , all my own , '' thought Nat , feeling very poor as he saw the interesting treasures of the other boys . `` How do you get these things ? '' he asked , when he joined Tommy in the barn . `` We find 'em or buy 'em , or folks give 'em to us . My father sends me mine ; but as soon as I get egg money enough , I 'm going to buy a pair of ducks . There 's a nice little pond for 'em behind the barn , and people pay well for duck-eggs , and the little duckies are pretty , and it 's fun to see 'em swim , '' said Tommy , with the air of a millionaire .
XXXXX sighed , for he had neither father nor money , nothing in the wide world but an old empty pocketbook , and the skill that lay in his ten finger tips .
Bhaer Cockletop Laurie Nat Rob Toby Tommy duckies housetop tramps