"Move!" he ordered, as she drew near. "Don't crawl! Move, or I'll
make you move."
This threat he voiced very bravely indeed. He was well out of
sight of the house. The superintendent and the two other men were
working on the far side of the hill. It seemed an eminently safe
time to exercise his parental authority. And, hand uplifted, he
took a threatening step toward the little girl.
Sonya cowered back in mortal dread. There was no mistaking the
import of Ruloff's tone or gesture. Lad read it as clearly as did
the child. As Sonya shrank away from the menace, a furry shoulder
was pressed reassuringly against her side. Lad's cold muzzle was
thrust for the merest instant into her trembling hand.
Then, as Ruloff advanced, Lad took one majestic step forward; his
great body shielding the girl; his dark eyes sternly on the
man's; his lips drawing back from his blunted yellow fangs. Deep
in his throat a growl was born.
Ruloff checked himself; looking doubtfully at the shaggy brute.
And at the same moment the superintendent appeared over the ridge
of the hill, on his way to the orchard.
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