I fed Mr. Riley regularly , and once , seeing him looking lonesome , I patted him gingerly . It was nicer than I thought it would be . Mr. Riley lifted his head and looked at me with an expression in his eyes which cured me of wondering why on earth Alexander Abraham was so fond of the beast . When Alexander Abraham was able to sit up , he began to make up for the time he 'd lost being pleasant . Anything more sarcastic than that man in his convalescence you could n't imagine . I just laughed at him , having found out that that could be depended on to irritate him . To irritate him still further I cleaned the house all over again . But what vexed him most of all was that Mr. Riley took to following me about and wagging what he had of a tail at me . `` It was n't enough that you should come into my peaceful home and turn it upside down , but you have to alienate the affections of my dog , '' complained Alexander Abraham . `` He 'll get fond of you again when I go home , '' I said comfortingly . `` Dogs are n't very particular that way . What they want is bones . Cats now , they love disinterestedly . William Adolphus has never swerved in his allegiance to me , although you do give him cream in the pantry on the sly . '' Alexander Abraham looked foolish . He had n't thought I knew that . I did n't take the smallpox and in another week the doctor came out and sent the policeman home . I was disinfected and William Adolphus was fumigated , and then we were free to go . `` Good-bye , Mr. Bennett , '' I said , offering to shake hands in a forgiving spirit . `` I 've no doubt that you are glad to be rid of me , but you are no gladder than I am to go .
I suppose this house will be dirtier than ever XXXXX a month 's time , and Mr. Riley will have discarded the little polish his manners have taken on .
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