Betsy and her older brother James were walking home from the little corner grocery store where they had brought much needed milk and eggs, which James carried very carefully in a large paper bag. It was snowing in big wet flakes and Betsy danced down the street, her ragged and patched coat swirling round her legs; her blonde curls flying upwards with every little jump that her five year old body made. James followed her at a more sedate pace; but once in a while would push out his tongue to catch a cool snowflake. He too wore patched but neat jacket and pants, and a cap that was so large it almost obscured his view. James was ten years old but
somehow seemed older in demeanor and character.
Suddenly Betsy came to a stop by the old vacant lot near their home. "I hear something,"she said, cocking her head. "I hear something crying." "I can't hear anything," James lifted his cap to listen better."Come, we need to get home; mom is waiting for the milk for Little Sister." But Betsy did not move and abruptly she squealed and dashed into the vacant lot to a pile of snow shrouded junk. From behind the junk pile came a tiny white dog with fur like fluffy pompoms all over, red ribbons over each long
white ear, and a red collar trimmed with gold. The little dog shivered violently and whimpered as it approached the now hunkered down Betsy. Moments later she held it cuddled in her arms. "I guess we must take it home," said James."We cannot leave it out here to freeze."
Betsy and James soon arrived at the old brownstone that was their home. They went down into the basement where they lived with Mom and Dad and Little Sister, or Megan. Dad took care of the building; which in winter meant keeping the old wheezing boiler going so that hot steam could fill all
the radiators in the apartments above through clanking and banging pipes. "What have you there?" asked Mother, as she came out of the single bedroom where she had put the baby down for a nap. "A little dog we found in the old empty lot,"said James as he put the milk and eggs in the old refrigerator. "I found her!" piped up Betsy. "We must see where she came from, and then take her back." said Mother. Betsy pouted and held the little dog closer. "Someone will be missing the little thing," said Mother as she gently took the dog from Betsy. Mother looked at the collar: "Her name is Mimi, and she lives not far from here." Betsy lifted Mimi up and went to sit in the rocker by the fireplace. "We will bring her back in the morning," said Mother. "So she can sleep with you two toninght."