Two children, Persis and Archie, have longed for a dog of their own since they were young. Their desire intensifies over the years, particularly for a collie, which they name Bruno. When their family goes on holiday to a beautiful countryside location, they are excited but still wish for a dog. During their stay, they encounter a lost dog that matches their dream. They take him in, naming him Bruno, and experience immense joy as he becomes part of their lives. However, their happiness is tinged with guilt, as they know the dog likely belongs to someone else. Their father, upon returning from a trip, insists on finding the dog's rightful owner, leading to a conflict between their desire to keep Bruno and the moral obligation to return him. After a few weeks, the children's fears are realized when the dog's owner, a young lady named Miss Riverton, appears to reclaim him. The children are heartbroken but confess to their father that they had known deep down that the dog was lost. Their father teaches them about honesty and the importance of being true to oneself. In a twist of fate, Miss Riverton later returns to offer the children the chance to adopt Bruno permanently, as she cannot keep him due to her own circumstances. The children are overjoyed, and their bond with Bruno deepens. They continue to cherish him, sharing updates with Miss Riverton, who remains a part of their lives through correspondence. The story concludes with the children’s happiness, having learned valuable lessons about love, honesty, and responsibility.
By Mary Louisa Molesworth · First published 1885 · Genre: Children's Literature, Adventure, Family · 4 chapters