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Updated: June 3, 2025
A pail of water stood in the middle of the floor; and close by was the Fozzy-gog himself, with a mop between his paws, working away with the greatest energy. He was about four times his ordinary size, as upright as 'Zekiel himself, and was directing the work of several other china dogs; amongst whom 'Zekiel immediately recognized his own property, Granny Pyetangle's birthday present!
It reminded 'Zekiel of the stories of Kings and their Courts, and no doubt the Fozzy-gog was a king in his own opinion at least. He questioned 'Zekiel minutely as to how he happened to come there so late in the evening; and to all the questions 'Zekiel answered most truthfully.
"Tell me what it all means! Oh, do'ee, now!" said 'Zekiel, almost crying. The china dog sat down by 'Zekiel's side, and putting one paw affectionately on his knee, looked up in his face, with his honest yellow eyes. "The Fozzy-gog has commissioned me to explain all about it," he said confidentially. "So don't be frightened, and no harm will come of it!
"The trees are playing very well to-night," said a dog as he skipped by. "Come and have another dance?" and he flew round and round like a humming top. 'Zekiel shook his head several times. He was so out of breath he could only gasp hurriedly "No, no! No more, thank you!" but his friend had already disappeared. The Fozzy-gog now approached him.
As he spoke, he began to shrink and stiffen in the same remarkable way as the Fozzy-gog, and a moment after he was standing in his ordinary shape in the centre of the cobblestone pathway. The moonlight shone upon his quaint little figure and the golden padlock at his neck. 'Zekiel sprang up just as the cottage door opened, and a neighbour came out calling, "'Zekiel! 'Zekiel! Drat the lad!
They're bound to work for me like all the inferior china things," and he shook his head superciliously. "And now," said 'Zekiel, "please tell me how the Fozzy-gog is going to get my Granny well." "Ah, that I mayn't tell you," said the china dog. "You must come with me to-morrow night to the Dog-wood, and you will hear all about it."
It was a good thing the Fozzy-gog happened to be in a good temper, and knew you well! We have never before been discovered. He is a hasty temper, and it certainly was irritating!" 'Zekiel began to recover from his terror, and grasped the china dog by the paw. He felt proud to think that his ideas about china dogs had proved true.
"Eli and Hercules to tea, and a Fozzy-gog to play with," he said at last and Granny Pyetangle smiled and said she would see what she could do "'Zekiel was a good lad, and deserved a treat." 'Zekiel's birthday arrived, and the moment he opened his eyes he saw that his grandmother had redeemed her promise.
"And never contradict him, indeed! when he says I was spying on him. A likely thing!" and he clung to his friend, and dragged him in with him into the kitchen. The Fozzy-gog sat in Dame Fossie's high-backed chair in the chimney corner, the other china dogs grouped around him.
Granny Pyetangle was almost well, and quite happy; and 'Zekiel felt his heart overflowing with gratitude towards the Fozzy-gog. "I'll never forget him. Never!" said 'Zekiel to himself, "and I wouldn't tell upon him not if anyone was to worrit me ever so!" and indeed he never did. Years passed, and Dame Fossie's shop was shut, and Dame Fossie herself was laid to rest.
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