And,
amusedly, she recalled what her husband had said of the stately
dog's new propensity for mischief. Perhaps Lad was exploring the
friendly home-woods in search of a bear!
But when ten o'clock came and Lad did not seek the shelter of his
"cave" under the music-room piano, for the night, there was real
worry. The Mistress went out on the veranda and sounded long and
shrilly upon the silver whistle which hung from her belt.
From puppyhood, Laddie had always come, at a sweeping gallop, on
sound of this whistle. Its notes could travel, through still air,
for a half mile or more. Their faintest echoes always brought the
dog in eager response. But tonight, a dozen wait-punctuated
blasts brought no other response than to set the distant village
dogs to barking.
The Mistress went back into the house, genuinely worried. Acting
on a sudden idea, she called up the Place's superintendent, at
the gatelodge.
"You were down here when the truck came to the house this
afternoon, weren't you?" she asked.
"Yes, ma'am," said the man. "I was waiting for it.
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