And which
started all the trouble.
That afternoon, the Mistress and the Master went for a five-mile
ramble through the woods and over the mountains, back of the
Place. With them went old Laddie, who paced gravely between them.
With them, also, went Bruce, the magnificent dark sable collie of
kingly look and demeanor; who was second only to Lad in human
traits and second to no living animal in beauty. Bruce was
glorious to look upon. In physique and in character he had not a
flaw. There was a strange sweetness to his disposition that I
have found in no other dog.
With Lad and Bruce, on this walk, raced Lad's fiery little golden
son, Wolf.
Of old, Lad had led such runs. Now, advancing age and increased
weight had begun to make him chary of throwing away his fading
energies. Wherefore, he walked between his two deities; and let
the two younger dogs do the galloping and rabbit chasing.
And he had his reward. For, as they neared the highroad on the
way home, Wolf and Bruce chanced to tree a squirrel. Thus, Lad
was first to reach the road with the two humans.
Pages:
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305