TOMYTENBESTFRIENDS：
Whoarefarwiserintheirwayandfarbetterineveryway，thanI；andyetwhohavenotthewisdomtoknowitWhodonotmerelythinkIamperfect，butwhoarecalmlyandpermanentlyconvincedofmyperfection；——andthisinspiteoffiftydisillusionsadayWhoarefranticallyhappyatmycomingandbitterlywoebegoneinmyabsenceWhoneverboremeandneverareboredbymeWhonevertalkaboutthemselvesandwhoalwayslistenwithrapturousinteresttoanythingImaysayWho，havingnoconventionalstandards，havenorespectability；
andwho，havingnoconventionalconsciences，havenosinsWhoteachmefinerlessonsinloyalty，inpatience，intruecourtesy，inunselfishness，indivineforgiveness，inpluckandinabidinggoodspiritsthandoallthebooksIhaveeverreadandalltheothermodelsIhavestudiedWhohavenotdeignedtowastetimeandeyesightinreadingawordofmineandwhowillnotbothertoreadthisverbosetributetothemselvesInshort，tothemostgloriouslysatisfactorychumswhoeverappealedtohumanvanityandtohumandesireforcompanionshipTOOURTENSUNNYBANKCOLLIESMYSTORYISGRATEFULLYAND
AFFECTIONATELYDEDICATED
CHAPTERI。TheComingOfBruceShewasbeautiful。Andshehadaheartandasoul——whichwereacurse。Forwithoutsuchaheartandsoul，shemighthavefoundthetoughlife-battlelessbitterlyhardtofight。
Buttheworlddoesqueerthings——damnablethings——toheartsthataresotenderlyall-lovingandtosoulsthataresotrustfullyandforgivinglyfriendlyashers。
Her"pedigreename"wasRothsayLass。Shewasacollie——daintilyfragileofbuild，sensitiveofnostril，furrilytawnyofcoat。
HerancestrywasasflawlessasanyinBurke'sPeerage。
IfGodhadsentherintotheworldwithapairoftulipearsandwithashadelesswidthofbrain-spaceshemighthavebeencherishedandcoddledasapotentialbench-showwinner，andintimemightevenhavewonimmortalitybythetitleof"CHAMPION
RothsayLass。"
Butherearsprickedrebelliouslyupward，likethoseofherearliestancestors，thewolves。Norcouldmanipulationluretheirstiffcartilagesintodroopingasbenchshowfashiondemands。Theaverageshow-collie'searshaveatendencytoprick。Byweightsandplasters，andoftenbytorture，thistendencyisovercome。
ButneverwhenthecartilageisasunyieldingaswasLass's。
Hergracefulheadharkedbackinshapetothedayswhencollieshadtodomuchindependentthinking，assheep-guards，andwhentheyneededmorebrainroomthanisaffordedbytheborzoiskullsoughtafterbymodernbenchshowexperts。
Wherefore，Lasshadnohopewhateverofwinninglaurelsintheshow-ringorofattractingahighpricefromsomerichfancier。
Shewastabulated，frombabyhood，asa"second"——inotherwords，asafaultyspecimeninalitterthatshouldhavebeenfaultless。
These"seconds"areasgoodtolookat，fromalayman'sview，asisanyinternationalchampion。Andtheiroffspringaresometimesasperfectasarethoseofthefinestspecimens。But，lackingthearbitrary"points"demandedbyshow-judges，the"seconds"arecondemnedtoobscurity，andtosellaspets。
IfLasshadbeenamaledog，herbeautyandsenseandlovablenesswouldhavefoundareadypurchaserforher。Forninepetcolliesoutoftenare"seconds"；andsplendidpetstheymakeforthemostpart。
ButLass，attheverystart，hadcommittedtheunforgivablesinofbeingbornafemale。Therefore，nopet-seekerwantedtobuyher。Evenwhenshewasofferedforsaleathalfthesumaskedforherlesshandsomebrothers，noonewantedher。
Amare——orthefemaleofnearlyanyspeciesexceptthecanine——
bringsashighandasreadyapriceasdoesthemale。Butneverthefemaledog。Exceptforbreeding，sheisnotwanted。
ThisprejudicehaditsstartinCrusaderdays，somethousandyearsago。Uptothattime，allthroughthecivilizedworld，afemaledoghadbeenmorepopularasapetthanamale。TheMohammedans（towhom，bycreed，alldogsareunclean）gavetheirEuropeanfoesthefirsthintthatafemaledogwasthelowestthingonearth。
TheSaracensdespisedher，asthepotentialmotheroffuturedogs。Andtheyloathedheraccordingly。BacktoEuropecametheCrusaders，bearingonlythreelastingmemorialsoftheircontactwiththeMoslems。Oneofthethreewasasneeringcontemptforallfemaledogs。
Thereisnootherpetasloving，asquickofwit，asloyal，asstaunchlybraveandascompanionableasthefemalecollie。Shehasallthemale'sbesttraitsandnoneofhisworst。Shehasmoreincommon，too，withthehighesttypeofwomanthanhasanyotheranimalalive。（This，withallduerespecttowomanhood。）
Prejudicehasrobbedcountlessdog-loversofthejoyofowningsuchapal。InEnglandthefemalepetdoghasatlastbeguntocomeintoherown。Hereshehasnot。Thelossisours。
AndsobacktoLass。
Whenwould-bepurchaserswereconductedtothepuppy-runattheRothsaykennels，Lassandhersixbrethrenandsisterswerewonttocomegallopingtothegatetowelcomethestrangers。Forthepupswereonlythreemonthsold——anagewheneveryeventisthrillinglyinteresting，andeverybodyisafriend。Threetimesoutoffive，thebuyer'seyewouldsingleLassfromtherollickingandfluffymassofpuppyhood。
Shewassopretty，sowistfullyappealing，sofreefromfear（andfrombumptiousnessaswell）andcarriedherselfsodaintily，thatone'sheartwarmedtoher。Thevisitorwouldpointherout。Thekennel-manwouldreply，flatteringly——
"Yes，shesureisonefinepup！"
Thepurchaserneverwaitedtoheartheendofthesentence，beforeturningtosomeotherpuppy。Thepronoun，"she，"hadkilledforeverhisdawningfancyforthelittlebeauty。
Thefourmalesofthelitterweresoonsold；forthereisabriskandasteadymarketforgoodcolliepups。Oneofthetwootherfemalesdied。Lass'sremainingsisterbeganto"shapeup"withshow-possibilities，andwasboughtbytheownerofanotherkennel。Thus，bythetimeshewasfivemonthsold，Lasswasleftaloneinthepuppy-run。
Shemournedherplaymates。Itwascold，atnight，withnoothercuddlylittlefur-balltosnuggledownto。Itwasstupid，withnoonetohelpherworkoffherfive-monthsspiritsinaromp。AndLassmissedthedozensofvisitorsthatofoldhadcometotherun。
Thekennel-menfeltnottheslightestinterestinher。Lassmeantnothingtothem，excepttheworkoffeedingherandofkeepinganextraruninorder。Shewasaliability，anuisance。
Lassusedtowatchwithpitifuleagernessfortheattendants'
duty-visitstotherun。Shewouldgallopjoyouslyuptothem，beggingforawordoracaress，tryingtotemptthemintoaromp，bringingthempeaceofferingsintheshapeoftreasuredbonesshehadburiedforherownfutureuse。Butallthisgainedhernothing。
Acarelesswordatbest——agruntorashoveatworstwereheronlyrewards。Forthemostpart，themenwiththefeed-troughorthewater-pailignoredherboundingandwrigglinglyeagerwelcomeascompletelyasthoughshewereapartofthekennelfurnishings。Hershortdaily"exercisescamper"intheopenwashernearestapproachtoagoodtime。
ThencameadaywhenagainavisitorstoppedinfrontofLass'srun。Hewasnotmuchofavisitor，beingapallidandrathershabbilydressedladoftwelve，withabrand-newchainandcollarinhishand。
"Yousee，"hewasconfidingtotheboredkennel-manwhohadbeendetailedbytheforemantotakehimaroundthekennels，"whenI
gotthecheckfromUncleDickthismorning，Imadeupmymind，firstthing，tobuyadogwithit，evenifittookeverycent。
ButthenIgottothinkingI'dneedsomethingtofastenhimwith，sohewouldn'trunawaybeforehelearnedtolikemeandwanttostaywithme。SowhenIgotthecheckcashedatthestore，Igotthiscollarandchain。"
"Areyouafriendoftheboss？"askedthekennel-man。
"Theboss？"echoedtheboy。"Youmeanthemanwhoownsthisplace？No，sir。ButwhenI'vewalkedpast，ontheroad，I'veseenhis'ColliesforSale'sign，lotsoftimes。OnceIsawsomeofthembeingexercised。TheywerethewonderfulestdogsIeversaw。
SotheminuteIgotthemoneyforthecheck，Icamehere。ItoldthemaninthefrontyardIwantedtobuyadog。He'stheonewhoturnedmeovertoyou。Iwish——OH！"hebrokeoffinrapture，comingtoahaltinfrontofLass'srun。"Look！Isn'theadandy？"
Lasshadtrottedhospitablyforwardtogreettheguest。Nowshewasstandingonherhindlegs，herfrontpawsalternatelysupportingherfragileweightonthewireofthefenceandwavingwelcominglytowardtheboy。Unknowingly，shewasbiddingforamaster。Andherwistfulfriendlinessstruckanoteofresponseinthelittlefellow'sheart。Forhe，too，waslonesome，muchofthetime，asisthefateofasicklyonlychildinanoverbusyhome。
Andhehadthetruecravingofthelonelyfordogcomradeship。
Hethrusthisnone-too-cleanhandthroughthewiremeshandpattedthepuppy'ssilkyhead。Lasswiggledecstaticallyundertheunfamiliarcaress。Allatonce，intheboy'seyes，shebecamequitethemostwonderfulanimalandtheverymostdesirablepetonearth，"He'sgreat！"sighedtheyoungsterinadmiration；addingna？vely：
"IsheChampionRothsayChief——theonewhosepicturewasinTheBulletinlastSunday？"
Thekennel-manlaughednoisily。Thenhecheckedhismirth，forprofessionalreasons，asherememberedthenatureoftheboy'squestandforesawabarepossibilityofgettingridoftheunwelcomeLass。
"Nope，"hesaid。"Thisisn'tChief。Ifitwas，IguessyourUncleDick'scheckwouldhavetohavefourfiguresinitbeforeyoucouldmakeadeal。ButthisisoneofChief'sdaughters。ThisisRothsayLass。Agrandlittlegirl，ain'tshe？Say，"——inaconfidentialwhisper，——"sinceyou'vetookafancyforher，maybeIcouldcoaxtheoldmanintolettin'youhaveherataneasyprice。Hewasplannin'tosellherforahundredorso。ButhegoesprettymuchbywhatIsay。Hemightlethergofor——Howmuchofacheckdidyousayyourunclesentyou？"
"Twelvedollars，"answeredtheboy，——"oneforeachyear。BecauseI'mnamedforhim。It'smybirthday，youknow。But——butadollarofitwentforthechainandthecollar。HowmuchdoyousupposethegentlemanwouldwantforRothsayLass？"
Thekennel-manconsideredforamoment。Thenhewentbacktothehouse，leavingtheladaloneatthegateoftherun。Elevendollars，forahigh-pedigreedcolliepup，wasajokeprice。ButnooneelsewantedLass，andherfeedwascostingmoreeveryday。
AccordingtoRothsaystandards，thelistofbrood-femaleswasalreadycomplete。Evenasagift，thekennelswouldbemakingmoneybygettingridoftheprick-eared"second。"Whereforehewenttoconsultwiththeforeman。
LeftalonewithLass，theboyopenedthegateandwentintotherun。AlittletohissurpriseLassneithershrankfromhimnorattackedhim。Shedancedabouthislegsindelight，varyingthisbyjumpingupandtryingtolickhisexcitedface。Thenshethrusthercoldnoseintothecupofhishandasapleatobepetted。
Whenthekennel-mancameback，theboywassittingonthedustygroundoftherun，andLasswascurleduprapturouslyinhislap，learninghowtoshakehandsathisorder。
"Youcanhaveher，thebosssays，"vouchsafedthekennel-man。
"Where'stheelevendollars？"
BythisgracelessspeechDickHazenreceivedthekeytotheSeventhParadise，andalife-membershipintheworld-wideOrderofDog-Lovers。
Thehomewardwalk，forLassandhernewmaster，wasnowalkatall，butaformofspirituallevitation。Thehalf-milepilgrimageconsumedafullhouroftime。NotthatLasshungbackorrebelledatherfirsttasteofcollarandchain！Thesepettyannoyanceswentunfeltinthewildjoyofarealwalk，andintheinfinitelydeeperhappinessofknowingherfriendship-faminewasappeasedatlast。
Thewalkwaslongforvariousreasons——partlybecause，inherfriskinggyrations，LasswasforevertanglingthenewchainaroundDick'sthinankles；partlybecausehestopped，everyblockorso，topatherortogiveherfurtherlessonsintheartofshakinghands。Alsotherewereadmiringboy-acquaintancesalongtheway，towhomthewonderfulpetmustbeexhibited。
AtlastDickturnedinatthegateofacheapbungalowonacheapstreet——abungalowwithadiscouragedgeraniumplotinitspocket-handkerchieffrontyard，andwithadoublelineofdryingclothesinthenolargerspacebehindthehouse。
AsDickandhischumroundedthehouse，awomanemergedfrombetweenthetwolinesofflappingsheets，whosehangingshehadbeensuperintending。Shestoppedatsightofhersonandthedog。
"Oh！"shecommentedwithnoenthusiasmatall。"Well，youdidit，hey？Iwashopingyou'dhavebettersense，andspendyourcheckonanicenewsuitorsomething。He'skindofpretty，though，"
shewenton，thepuppy'sfriendlinessandbeautywringingthewordofgrudgingpraisefromher。"Whatkindofadogishe？Andyou'resureheisn'tsavage，aren'tyou？"
"Collie，"answeredDickproudly。"Pedigreedcollie！Youbetsheisn'tsavage，either。Why，she'sanangel。Shemindsmealready。
See——shakehands，Lass！""Lass！"ejaculatedMrs。Hazen。"'SHE！'
Dick，youdon'tmeantotellmeyou'vegoneandboughtyourselfa——aFEMALEdog？"
Thewomanspokeinthetoneofhorrifiedcontemptthatmightwellhavebeenhershadshefoundarattlesnakeandabraceoftoadsinherson'spocket。Andsheloweredhervoice，asisthemannerofherkindwhenforcedtospeakoftheunspeakable。Shemovedbackfromthepuppy'spolitelyout-thrustforepawasfromthepassingofagarbagecart。
"Afemaledog！"shereiterated。"Well，ofallthechuckle-heads！
AnastyFEMALEdog，withyourbirthdaymoney！"
"She'snotonebitnasty！"flamedDick，buryingthegrubbyfingersofhisrighthandprotectivelyinthefluffymassofthepuppy'shalf-grownruff。"She'sthedandiestdogever！She——"
"Don'ttalkbacktome！"snappedMrs。Hazen。"Here！Turnrightaroundandtakehertothecheatswhosoldhertoyou。Tellthemtokeepherandgiveyouthegoodmoneyyoupaidforher。Takeheroutofmyyardthisminute！Quick！"
Ahotmistoftearssprangintotheboy'seyes。Lass，withthequeerintuitionthattellsafemalecolliewhenhermasterisunhappy，whinedsoftlyandlickedhisclenchedhand。
"I——aw，PLEASE，Ma！"hebeggedchokingly。"PLEASE！It's——it'smybirthday，andeverything。Pleaseletmekeepher。I——Iloveherbetterthan'mostanythingthereis。Can'tIpleasekeepher？
Please！"
"YouheardwhatIsaid，"returnedhismothercurtly。
Thewasherwoman，whoonedayaweeklightenedMrs。Hazen'shouseholdlabors，waddledintoviewfrombehindthebillowsofwind-swirledclothes。Shewasanexcellentperson，andwasbuiltforenduranceratherthanforspeed。AtsightofLassshepausedinrealinterest。
"My！"sheexclaimedwithflatteringapproval。"Soyougotyourdog，didyou？Youdidn'twastenotime。Andhe'ssureahandsomelittlecritter。Whatchergoin'tocallhim？"
"It'snotahim，Irene，"contradictedMrs。Hazen，withanothermodestloweringofherstrongvoice。"It'saHER。AndI'msendingDickbackwithher，towhereshecamefrom。I'vegotmyopinionofpeoplewhowilltakeadvantageofachild'signorance，bypalmingoffahorridfemaledogonhim，too。Takeheraway，Dick。
Iwon'thaveherhereanotherminute。Youhearme？"
"Please，Ma！"stammeredDick，battlingwithhisdesiretocry。
"Aw，PLEASE！I——I——"
"Yourma'sright，Dick，"chimedinthewasherwoman，herfirstinterestedglanceatthepuppychangingtooneofrefinedandloftyscorn。"Takeherback。Youdon'twantanyfemaledogsaround。Nonicefolksdo。"
"Whynot？"demandedtheboyinsuddenhopelessangerashepressedlovinglythenoseLassthrustsocomfortinglyintohishand。"WHYdon'twewantafemaledogaround？Folkshavefemalecatsaroundthem，andfemalewomen。Whyisn'tafemaledog——"
"Thatwilldo，Dick！"brokeinhisshockedmother。"Takeheraway。"
"Iwon't，"saidtheboy，speakingveryslowly，andwithnoexcitementatall。
Aslaponthesideofhishead，fromhismother'spunitivepalm，madehimstaggeralittle。Herhandwasupraisedforasecondinstallmentofrebellion-quelling——whenaslenderlittlebodyflashedthroughtheairandlandedheavilyagainstherchest。A
setofwhitepuppy-teethallbutgrazedherwrathfulredface。
Lass，whoneverbeforehadknowntheimpulsetoattack，hadjumpedtotherescueofthebeatenyoungsterwhomshehadadoptedashergod。Thewomanscreechedinterror。Dickflunganarmaboutthefurrywhirlwindthatwasseekingtoavengehispunishment，andpulledthedogbacktohisside。
Mrs。Hazen'sshriek，andtheobbligatoaccompanimentofthewasherwoman，madeanapproachingmanquickenhisstepsashestrolledaroundthesideofthehouse。ThenewcomerwasDick'sfather，superintendentofthelocalbottlingworks。Onhiswayhometolunch，hewalkedinonasceneofhysteria。
"Killher，sir！"bawledthewasherwoman，atsightofhim。"Killher！She'samaddog。ShejusttriedtokillMiz'Hazen！"
"Shedidn'tdoanythingofthekind！"wailedDick。"Shewaspertectingme。Mahitme；andLass——"
"Ed！"tearilyproclaimedMrs。Hazen，"ifyoudon'tsendforapolicemantoshootthatfilthybeast，I'll——"
"Holdon！"interruptedtheman，atalosstocatchthedriftoftheseappeals，byreasonoftheirallbeingspokeninasuccessionsorapidastomakeasingleblurredsentence。"Holdon！What'swrong？Andwheredidthepupcomefrom？He'salooker，allrightacutelittlecuss。What'stherow？"
WiththeplangentlyuselessiterationsofaGreekchorus，thetalewasflungathim，piecemealandinchunks，andinatriplekey。Whenpresentlyheunderstood，Hazenlookeddownforamomentatthepuppy——whichwasmakingsundryadvancesofashybutfriendlynaturetowardhim。Thenhelookedattheboy，andnotedDick'shero-efforttochokebacktheonrushofbabyishsobs。Andthen，witharoughlytolerantgesture，hesilencedthetworaucouswomen，whowerebeginningthetaleoveragainforthethirdtime。
"Isee，"hesaid。"Isee。Iseehowitis。Needn'tdinitatmeanymore，folks。AndIseeDicky'ssideofit，too。Yes，andI
seethepup'ssideofit。Iknowalotaboutdogs。Thatpupisn'tvicious。SheknowsshebelongstoDick。Youlammedintohim，andshetookupanddefendedhim。That'sallthereistothe'mad-
dog'partofit。"
"ButEd——"sputteredhiswife。
"Now，youletMEdothetalking，Sade！"heinsisted，half-
grinning，yetmorethanhalfgrimly。"I'mthebosshere。IfI'mnot，thenit'ssafetolistentometillthebossgetshere。Andwe'regoin'todowhateverIsayweare——withoutanyback-talkorsulks，either。It'sthisway：Yourbrothergavetheboyabirthdaycheck。Wepromisedhecouldspenditanywayhehadamindto。Hesaidhewantedadog，didn'the？AndIsaid，'Gotoit！'didn'tI？Well，hegotthedog。Justbecauseithappenstobeashe，that'snoreasonwhyheoughtn'ttobeallowedtokeepit。Andhecan。Thatgoes。"
"Oh，Dad！"squealedDickingratefulheroworship。"You'reabrick！I'mnotevergoingtoforgetthis，solongasIlive。Say，watchhershakehands，Dad！I'vetaughther，already，to——"
"EdHazen！"loudlyprotestedhiswife。"Ofallthesofties！Youhaven'tbackboneenoughforaprune。Andifmyorderstomyownsonaregoingtobe——"
"That'llbeall，Sade！"interposedthemanstiffly——adding："Bytheway，Igotaqueerpieceofnewstotellyou。Comeintothekitchenaminute。"
Grumbling，rebellious，scowling，——yetunabletoresistthelureofa"queerpieceofnews，"Mrs。Hazenfollowedherhusbandindoors，leavingDickandhispettogamboldeliriouslyaroundtheclothes-festoonedyardincelebrationoftheirvictory。
"Listenhere，oldgirl！"beganHazenthemomentthekitchendoorwasshutbehindthem。"Usesomesense，can'tyou？Igaveyouthewink，andyouwouldn'tcatchon。SoIhadtomakethegrandstandplay。I'mnomorestuckonhavingameaslyshe-dogaroundherethanyouare。Andwe'renotgoingtohaveher，either。But——"
"Thenwhydidyousayyouweregoingto？WhydidyoumakeafoolofmebeforeIreneandeverything？"shedemanded，wrathfulyetbewildered。
"It'stheboy'sbirthday，isn'tit？"urgedHazen。"AndI'dpromisedhim，hadn'tI？And，lasttimehehadoneofthose'turns，'didn'tDocColfaxsaywemustn'tlethimfretandworryanymore'nwecouldhelp？Well，ifhehadtotakethatdogbackto-day，it'dhavebrokehisheart。He'dhavefeltlikewewerehisenemies，andhe'dneverhavefeltthesametousagain。Anditmighthavehurthishealthtoo——theshockandall。So——"
"ButItellyou，"shepersisted，"Iwon'thaveadirtylittlefemale——"
"Wearen'tgoingto，"heassuredher。"Keepyourhairon，tillI'vefinished。Tonight，afterDick'sasleep，I'mgoingtogetridofher。He'llwakeupinthemorningandfindshe'sgone；andthedoor'llbeopen。He'llthinkshe'srunaway。He'llgolookingforher，andhe'llkeeponhopingtofindher。Sothat'lleasetheshock，yousee，bylettinghimdownbitbybit，insteadofsnatchinghispetawayfromhimviolent-like。Andhewon'tholditupagainstUS，either，ashewouldtheotherway。Icanofferarewardforher，too。"
Therewasalongandthought-crammedpause。Thewomanplungeddeepintothesilencesasherfatbrainwroughtoverthesuggestion。Then——
"MaybeyouHAVEgotjustafewgrainsofsense，afterall，Ed，"
grudginglyvouchsafedMrs。Hazen。"Itisn'tabadidea。Onlyhe'llgrievealotforher。"
"He'llbehoping，though，"saidherhusband。"He'llbehopingallthewhile。Thatalwaystakestherazor-edgeoffofgrieving。
Leaveittome。"
ThatwasthehappiestdayDickHazenhadeverknown。AnditwasthefirstactivelyhappydayinallLass'sfivemonthsoflife。
Boyanddogspenthoursinaramblethroughthewoods。TheybeganLass'seducation——whichwasplannedtoincludemoreintricatetricksthanaperformingelephantandatroupeofcircusdogscouldhopetolearninalifetime。Theybecameswornchums。DicktalkedtoLassasifshewerehuman。Sheamazedtheenrapturedboybyherclevernessandspirits。Hisinitiationtothedog-
masters'guildwasjoyousandcomplete。
Itwasatiredandravenouspairoffriendswhoscamperedhomeatdinner-timethatevening。ThepallorwasgonefromDick'sface。
Hischeekswereglowing，andhiseyesshone。Heategreedily。Hisparentslookedcovertlyateachother。Andtheself-complacencylinesaroundHazen'smouthblurred。
Boyanddogwenttobedearly，beingblissfullysleepyandfulloffood——alsobecauseanotherandlongerwoodlandramblewasscheduledforthemorrow。
TimidlyDickaskedleavetohaveLasssleeponthefootofhiscot-bed。Afterasecondtelegraphingofglances，hisparentsconsented。Halfanhourlatertheplaymatesweresoundasleep，thepuppysnugglingdeepinthehollowofhermaster'sarm，herfurryheadacrosshisthinchest。
ItwasinthisposethatHazenfoundthemwhen，lateintheevening，hetiptoedintoDick'scubby-holeroom。Hegazeddownattheslumberouspairforaspace，whilehefoughtandconqueredanimpulsetowardfairplay。Thenhestoopedtopickupthedog。
Lass，wakingattheslightcreakofafloorboard，liftedherhead。Atsightofthefigureleaningaboveheradoredmaster，thelipcurledbackfromherwhiteteeth。Fardowninherthroatagrowlwasborn。Thensherecognizedtheintruderasthemanwhohadpettedherandfedherthatevening。Thegrowldiedinherthroat，givingplacetoawelcomingthumportwoofherbushytail。Dickstirreduneasily。
Pattingthepuppylightlyonherupraisedhead，HazenpickedupLassinhisarmsandtiptoedoutoftheroomwithher。Mistakingthismoveforaformofcaress，shetriedtolickhisface。Themanwinced。
DownstairsandoutintothestreetHazenborehistrustfullittleburden，haltingonlytoputonhishat，andforawhisperedwordwithhiswife。Fornearlyamilehecarriedthedog。Lassgreatlyenjoyedtheride。Shewaspleasantlytired，anditwasnicetobecarriedthus，bysomeonewhowassoconsiderateastosaveherthebotherofwalking。
Attheedgeofthetown，Hazensetheronthegroundandatoncebegantowalkrapidlyawayinthedirectionofhome。HehadgoneperhapsfiftyyardswhenLasswasgambolingmerrilyaroundhisfeet。Akicksentthedismayedandagonizedpuppyflyingthroughtheairlikeawhimperingcatapult，andlandedheragainstabankwitheveryatomofbreathknockedoutofher。Beforeshehadfairlystruckground，——beforeshecouldlookabouther，——Hazenhaddoubledaroundacornerandhadvanished。
Atarun，hemadeforhome，gladtheunpleasantjobwasover。Atthedoorhiswifemethim。
"Well，"shedemanded，"didyoudrownherinthecanal，thewayyousaid？"
"No，"heconfessedsheepishly，"Ididn'texactlydrownher。Yousee，shenestleddownintomyarmssocozyandtrusting-like，thatI——well，Ifixeditsoshe'llnevershowuparoundhereagain。Trustmetodoajobthoroughly，ifIdoitatall。I——"
AdramaticgesturefromMrs。Hazen'sstubbyforefingerinterruptedhim。Hefollowedthefinger'sangrypoint。CloseathissidestoodLass，wagginghertailandstaringexpectantlyupathim。
Withherkeenpowerofscent，ithadbeennoexploitatalltotrackthemanoveramileofunfamiliarground。Alreadyshehadforgiventhekickorhadputitdowntoaccidentonhispart。Andattheendofhereagerchase，shewaseagerforawordofgreeting。
"I'llbe——"gurgledHazen，blinkingstupidly。
"Iguessyouwillbe，"concededhiswife。"Ifthat'sthe'thorough'wayyoudoyourjobsatthefactory——"
"Say，"hemumbledinasortofwonderingappeal，"isthereanyHUMANthatwouldliketotrustafellersomuchastoriskanotherribcrackingkick，justforthesakeofbeingwhereheis？
Ialmostwish——"
Butthewishwasunspoken。HazenwasatrueAmericanhusband。Hefearedhiswifemorethanhelovedfairness。Andhiswife'sglarewasfulluponhim。WithagrunthepickedLassupbytheneck，tuckedherunderhisarmandmadeoffthroughthedark。
Hedidnottaketheroadtowardthecanal，however。Insteadhemadefortherailroadtracks。Herememberedhow，asalad，hehadoncegottenridofamangycat，andheresolvedtorepeattheexploit。Itwasfarmoremercifultothepuppy——oratleast，toHazen'sconscience，——thantopitchLassintotheslimycanalwithastonetiedtoherneck。
Alineoffreightcars——"empties"——wasonasiding，ashortdistanceabovethestation。Hazenwalkedalongthetrack，tryingthedoorofeachcarhepassed。Thefourthhecametowasunlocked。Heslidbackthenewlygreasedsidedoor，thrustLassintothechillyandblackinteriorandquicklyslidshutthedoorbehindher。Thenwiththesillyfeelingofhavingcommittedacrime，hestumbledawaythroughthedarknessattopspeed。
Afreightcarhasamyriaduses，beyondthecarryingoflegitimatefreight。Fromtimeimmemorial，ithasbeenafavoriterepositoryforallmannerofillicitflotsamandjetsamhumanorotherwise。
Itspopularitywithtrampsandsimilarderelictshaslongbeenathemeforcomicpaperandvaudevillejest。Though，heavenknows，theinsideofamovingbox-carhasfewjocosefeatures，exceptintheimaginationofhumorousartistorvaudevillian！
Butafarmorefrequentuseforsuchcarshasescapedthenoticeofthepublicatlarge。Asanyoldrailroadercantestify，trainhandsareforeverfindinginbox-carseverygenusandspeciesofstray。
Thesefindsrangeallthewayfromcatsanddogsanddiscardedwhiterabbitsandcanaries，togoats。Dozensofbabieshavebeendiscovered，wailinganddeserted，inbox-carrecesses；perhapsahundredmilesfromthesidingwhere，furtively，thetinyhumanbundlewasthrustinsidesomeconvenientlyunlatchedsidedoor。
AfreighttrainoffersglitteringchancesforthedisposaloftheUnwanted。Morethanonceaslainmanorwomanhasbeensentalongtheline，inthisgrislybuteffectivefashion，farbeyondthereachofrecognition。
Hazenhaddonenothingoriginalornewindepositingthelucklesscolliepupinoneofthesewheeledreceptacles。Hewasbutfollowinganold——establishedcustom，familiartomanyinhislineoflife。Therewasnonoveltytoit，——excepttoLass。
Thecarwasdarkandcoldandsmelly。Lasshatedit。Sherantoitsdoor。Hereshefoundagleamofhopeforescapeandforreturntothehomewhereeveryonethatdayhadbeensokindtoher。Hazenhadshutthedoorwithsuchvehemencethatithadrebounded。Thehaspwasdown，andsothecatchhadnotdoneitsduty。ThedoorhadslidopenafewinchesfromtheimpetusofHazen'sshove。
ItwasnotwideenoughopentoletLassjumpout，butitwaswideenoughforhertopushhernosethrough。Andbyvigorousthrusting，withhertriangularheadasawedge，shewasabletowidentheaperture，inchbyinch。Inlessthanthreeminutesshehadbroadeneditfarenoughforhertowriggleoutofthecarandleaptothesideofthetrack。Thereshestoodbewildered。
Aspringsnowwasdriftingdownfromthesulkysky。Theairwasdampandpenetrating。ByreasonofthenewsnowthescentofHazen'sdepartingfootstepswasblottedout。Hazenhimselfwasnolongerinsight。AsLasshadmadethejourneyfromhousetotrackswithherheadtuckedconfidinglyunderherkidnaper'sarm，shehadnotnotedthedirection。Shewaslost。
Alittlewaydownthetrackthestationlightswereshiningwithmistywarmththroughthesnow。Towardtheselightsthepuppytrotted。
Underthestationeaves，andwaitingtobetakenaboardthealmost-dueeleven-fortyexpress，severalcratesandparcelsweregrouped。Onecratewasthesceneofmuchthesamesortofescape——
dramathatLasshadjustenacted。
Thecratewasbigandcomfortable，beddeddownwithsoftsackingandwith"insets"ateithersidecontainingfoodandwater。Butcommodiousaswasthebox，theunwontedconfinementdidnotatallpleaseitsoccupant——atemperamentalandhighlybredyoungcollieinprocessofshipmentfromtheRothsayKennelstoapurchaserfortymilesuptheline。
Thiscollie，wearyingofthedelayandthelonelinessandthestrangequarters，hadbeguntoplungefromonesideofthecratetotheotherinanefforttobreakout。Acarelesslynailedslatgaveawayundertheimpact。Thedogscrambledthroughthegapandproceededtogallophomewardthroughthesnow。
Tensecondslater，Lass，drawnbythelightsandbythescentoftheotherdog，cametothecrate。Shelookedin。There，madetoorderforher，wasanicebed。There，too，werefoodanddrinktoappeasetheever-presentappetiteofapuppy。Lasswrithedherwayinthroughthegapaseasilyastheformeroccupanthadcrawledout。
Afterdoingduejusticetothebrokenpuppybiscuitsintheinset-trough，shecurledherselfupforanap。
Theclangorandglareoftheoncomingexpressawakenedher。Shecoweredinonecornerofthecrate。Justthentwostation-handsbegantomovetheexpresspackagesouttotheedgeoftheplatform。Oneofthemnoticedthedisplacedboardofthecrate。
Hedrovehomeitsloosenednailswithtwosharptapsfromamonkey-wrench，glancedinsidetomakecertainthedoghadnotgottenout，andpresentlyhoistedthecrateaboardtheexpress-
car。
Twohourslaterthecratewasunloadedatawaystation。Atseveninthemorninganexpressmandrovetwomileswithittoacountry-home，amileorsofromthevillagewhereLasshadbeendisembarkedfromthetrain。
Aneagerknotofpeople——theMistress，theMasterandtwogardeners——crowdedexpectantlyaroundthecrateasitwassetdownonthelawninfrontofThePlace'sveranda。Thelatchwasunfastened，andthecrate'stopwasliftedbackonitshinges。
OutsteppedLass，——tired，confused，alittlefrightened，buteagerlywillingtomakefriendswithaworldwhichshestillinsistedonbelievingwasfriendly。Itishardtoshakeacolliepup'sinbornfaithinthefriendlinessofmankind，butonceshaken，itismorethanshaken。Itisshatteredbeyondhopeofcompletemending。
Foraninstantshestoodthus，lookingintimidappealfromonetoanotherofthefacesabouther。Thesefaceswereblankenoughastheyreturnedhergaze。Thegladexpectancywaswipedfromthemaswithasponge。ItwastheMasterwhofirstfoundvoice。
"AndTHAT'SRothsayPrincess！"hesnortedindignantly。"That'sthepupworthtwohundreddollarsateightmonths，'becauseshehaseverysinglegoodpointofChampionRothsayChiefandnotaflawfromnostriltotail-tip'！Rothsaywrotethoseverywordsabouther，youremember。Andhe'ssupposedtobethemostdependablemaninthecolliebusiness！Lord！She'sundersized——nobiggerthanafivemonther！Andshe'sprick-earedandapple-
domed；andherhead'saswideasachurchdoor！"
Apparentlythesehumanswerenotgladtoseeher。LasswasgrievedattheircoldappraisalandalittlefrightenedbytheMaster'stoneofdisgust。Yetshewaseager，asever，tomakeagoodimpressionandtolurepeopleintolikingher。ShylyshewalkeduptotheMistressandlaidonewhitelittlepawonherknee。
HandshakingwasLass'soneaccomplishment。IthadbeentaughtherbyDick。Ithadpleasedtheboy。Hehadbeenproudofherabilitytodoit。Perhapsitmightalsopleasethesestrangers。AndaftertheoddfashionofallnewarrivalswhocametoThePlace，LasspickedouttheMistress，ratherthananyoneelse，asapotentialfriend。
TheMistresshadeverrousedtheimpatienceofcollieexpertsbylookingpasttheshowier"points"ofadogandintothesoulandbrainanddispositionthatlaybehindthem。Sonowshelooked；
andwhatshesawinLass'sdarklywistfuleyesestablishedtheintruder'sstatusatThePlace。
"Letherstay！"pleadedtheMistressastheMastergrowledsomethingaboutbundlingthedogintohercrateagainandsendingherbacktotheRothsayKennels。"Letherstay，please！She'sadear。"
"Butwe'renotbreeding'dears，'"observedtheMaster。"Weplannedtobreedastrainofperfectcollies。Andthisisamutt！"
"Herpedigreesaysthere'snobettercolliebloodinAmerica，"
deniedtheMistress。"Andevenifshehappenstobea'second，'
that'snosignherpuppieswillbeseconds。Seehowprettyandlovingandwisesheis。DOkeepher！"
Whichofcoursesettledthematter。
Upthelawn，fromhismorningswiminthelake，strolledagreatmahogany-and-whitecollie。AtsightofLassheloweredhisheadforacharge。HewaskingofThePlace'sdogs，thismightythoroughbred，SunnybankLad。Andhedidnotwelcomecanineintruders。
Buthehaltedmidwayinhisdashtowardthepuppywhofriskedforthsogaylytomeethim。Forherecognizedherasafemale。
Andmanistheonlyanimalthatwillmolestthefemaleofhisspecies。
Thefiercelysilentchargewaschangedinatricetoacoldlyciviltouchingofnoses，andthemajesticwaggingofaplumytail。Afterwhich，sidebyside，thetwocollies——bigandlittle——
oldandnew——walkeduptotheveranda，tobepettedbythehumanswhohadsoamusedlywatchedtheirencounter。
"See！"exclaimedtheMistress，intriumph。"Ladhasacceptedher。
Hevouchesforher。Thatoughttobeenoughforanyone！"
ThusitwasthatLassfoundahome。
Assheneveryethadbeentaughttoknowhername，shelearnedreadilytorespondtothetitleof"Princess。"Andforseveralmonthslifewentonevenlyandhappilyforher。
Indeed，lifewasalwayswondrouspleasant，thereatThePlace，——
forhumansandforanimalsalike。Afire-bluelakeborderedthegroundsontwosides。Behindstretchedtheforest。Andoneverysidearosethesoftgreenmountains，hemminginandbroodingoverThePlaceasthoughtheylovedit。Inthewintereveningstherewasthehugelibraryhearthwithitsblazeandwarmth；andadisreputablefurruginfrontofitthatmighthavebeenordainedexpresslyfortireddogstodrowseon。AndthereweretheMistressandtheMaster。EspeciallytheMistress！TheMistresssomehowhadawayofmakingalltheworldseemworthwhile。
Then，ofamorning，whenLasswasjustelevenmonthsold，twothingshappened。
TheMistressandtheMasterwentdowntoherkennelafterbreakfast。Lassdidnotrunforthtogreetthemasusual。Shelaystill，wagginghertailinfeeblewelcomeastheydrewnear。Butshedidnotgetup。
Crowdingclosetohertawnysidewasatiny，shapelesscreaturethatlookedmorelikeafatblindratthanlikeanythingelse。Itwasaten-hour-oldcolliepup——amale，andyellowishbrownofhue。
"That'stheclimax！"complainedtheMaster，breakinginontheMistress'srhapsodies。"Herewe'vebeenplanningtostartakennelofhome-bredcollies！Andseewhatresultsweget！Onesolitarypuppy！Notonceintentimesaretherelessthansixinacollie-litter。Sometimesthereareadozen。Andherethedogyouwheedledmeintokeepinghasjustone！Iexpectedatleastseven。"
"Ifit'safreaktobetheonlypuppyinalitter，"answeredtheMistress，refusingtopartwithherenthusiasmoverthemiracle，"thenthisoneoughttobringusluck。Let'scallhim'Bruce。'
Youremember，theoriginalBrucewonbecauseofthemysticnumber，seven。ThisBrucehasgottomakeuptousforthesevenpuppiesthatweren'tborn。Seehowproudsheisofhim！Isn'tsheasweetlittlemother？"
Thesecondofthemorning'seventswasavisitfromtheforemanoftheRothsayKennels，whomotoredacrosstoThePlace，intentonclearingupamystery。
"TheBossfoundacollieyesterday，tiedinthefrontyardofanegrocabinamileortwofromourkennels，"hetoldtheMaster。
"HerecognizedherrightawayasRothsayPrincess。Thenegroclaimstohavefoundherwanderingaroundneartherailroadtracks，onenight，sixmonthsago。Now，what'stheanswer？"
"Theanswer，"saidtheMaster，"isthatyourbossismistaken。
I'vehadRothsayPrincessforthepastsixmonths。Andshe'sthelastdogI'llevergetfromtheRothsayKennels。Iwasstung，goodandplenty，onthatdeal。
"Mywifewantedtokeepher，orI'dhavemadeakickinthecourtsforhavingtopaytwohundreddollarsforacheeky，apple——
domed，prickeared——"
"Prick-eared！"exclaimedtheforeman，aghastatthevolleyedsacrilege。"RothsayPrincesshasthebestearsofanypupwe'vebredsinceChampionRothsayChief。Notaflawinthatpup。She——"
"Notaflaw，hey！"sniffedtheMaster。"Comedowntothekennelandtakealookather。Shehasasmanyflawsasastreet-curhasfleas。"
Heledthewaytothekennel。AtsightofthestrangerLassgrowledandshowedherteeth。Foracolliemotherwillletnobodybutprovenfriendscomeneartohernewbornbrood。
Theforemanstaredatthehostileyoungmotherforahalf-minute，whistlingbewilderedlybetweenhisteeth。Thenhelaughedaloud。
"That'snomoreRothsayPrincessthanIam！"hedeclared。"IknowwhosheIS，though。I'drememberthatfunnymaskamongamillion。
That'sRothsayLass！ThoughhowshegotHERE——！
"Wecouldn'thaveshippedherbymistake，either，"hewenton，confused。"Forwe'dsoldher，thatsameday，toakidinourtown。Ioughttoknow。Becausethekidkeptonpesteringuseverydayforamonthafterward，tofindifshehadcomebacktous。Hesaidsheranawayinthenight。Hestillcomesaround，onceaweekorso，toask。Aspindly，weak，sick-lookinglittlechap，heis。Idon'tgetthepointofthisthing，fromanyangle。Butwerunourkennelsonthesquare。AndIcanpromisetheboss'lleithersendbackyourcheckorsendRothsayPrincesstoyouandtakeLassback。"
Twodayslater，whileallThePlacewasstillmullingoverthemystery，alettercamefortheMasterfromLass'shometown。Itwassigned"Edw'dHazen，"anditwaswrittenonthecheapstationeryofhisemployer'sbottlingworks。Itread：
DearSir：
"Sixmonthsago，mysonboughtadogfromtheRothsayKennels。Itwasashe-dog，andhismaandIdidn'twantonearound。SoIputitaboardafreight-caronthesly。Myboywentsickoverlosinghisdog。Hehasneverrightlygotoverit，buthepeaksandmopesandgetsthinnerallthetime。IfIhadknownhowhardhewasgoingtotakeit，IwouldofcutoffmyhandbeforeIwouldofdonesuchathing。AndmywifefeelsjustlikeIdoaboutit。Wewouldbothofushavegivenahundreddollarstogetthedogbackforhim，whenwesawhowbadhefelt。Butitwastoolate。
Somehoworotheritismostgenerallytoolatewhenarottenthinghasbeendone。
"To-dayhewentagaintotheRothsayKennelstoaskifshehadcomeback。Hehasalwaysbeenhopingshewould。Andtheytoldhimyouhaveher。Now，sir，Iamapoorman，butifonehundreddollarswillmakeyousellmethatdog，I'llsendittoyouinamoneyorderbyreturnmail。Itwillbeworthtentimesthatmuch，tomywifeandme，tohaveDickhappyagain。Iincloseastamp。
Willyouletmeknow？"
SixweeksafterwardThePlace'scarbroughtDickHazenacrosstoreceivehislong-lostpet。
Theboywasthinnerandshakierandwhiterthanwhenhehadgonetosleepwithhischerishedpuppycurledagainsthisnarrowchest。Buttherewasalightinhiseyesandaneagernessinhisheartthathadnotbeenthereinmanyalongweek。
Lasswasontheverandatowelcomehim。AndasDickscrambledoutofthecarandrantopickherup，shecamemorethanhalf-waytomeethim。Withaflurryoffast-patteringstepsandabarkofeagerwelcome，sheflungherselfuponherlong-vanishedmaster。
Forahighbredcolliedoesnotforget。AndatfirstglimpseoftheboyLassrememberedhim。
Dickcaughtherupinhisarms——aharderfeatthanofyore，becauseofhergreaterweightandhisownsappedstrength，——andhuggedhertighttohisbreast。Winkingveryfastindeedtodispersetearsthathadnoplaceintheeyesofaself-containedmanoftwelve，hesputteredrapturously：
"IKNEWI'dfindyou，Lassie——Iknewitallthetime；——eventhetimeswhenIwasdeadsureIwouldn't！Gee，butyou'vegrown，though！Andyou'rebeautifulerthanever。Isn'tshe，Miss？"hedemanded，turningtotheMistresswithinstinctiveknowledgethathereatleasthewouldfindconfirmation。"Indeedsheis！"theMistressassuredhim。
"Andseehowgladsheistobewithyouagain！She——"
"AndDadsaysshecanstaywithme，forkeeps！"exultedDick。"Hesayshe'llputanewlockonthecellardoor，soshecan'teverpushoutagain，thewayshedid，lasttime。ButIguessshe'shadherlessoningoingoutforwalksatnightandnotbeingabletofindherwayback。SheandIaregoingtohavethedandiesttimestogether，thateverhappened。Aren'twe，Lass？Isthatherlittleboy？"hebrokeoff，ineagercuriosity，astheMasterappearedfromthekennels，carryingBruce。
ThepuppywassetdownontheverandafloorforDick'sinspection。
"He'scunning，isn'the？KindoflikeaTeddyBear，——thesortkidsplaywith。But，"withatingeofworry，"I'mnotsureMawillletmekeeptwo。Maybe——"
"Perhaps，"suggestedtheMistress，"perhapsyou'dlikeustokeeplittleBruce，torememberLassby？We'lltrytomakehimveryhappy。"
"Yes'm！"agreedDick，inmuchhaste，hisbrowclearingfromamentalvisionofMrs。Hazen'sfacewhensheshouldseehimreturnwithtwiceasmanydogsashehadsetoutfor。"Yes'm。Ifyouwouldn'tmind，verymuch。S'poseweleaveitthatway？IguessBruce'lllikebeingwithyou，Miss。I——Iguessprettynearanybodywould。You'll——you'lltrynottobetoohomesickforLass，won'tyou？"
Onthestepsoftheverandathedownyandfatpuppywatchedhismother'sdeparturewithnoespecialinterest。BytheMistress'swish，Mr。Hazenhadnotbeenrequiredtomakeanypartofhisprofferedhundred-dollarpaymentforthereturnofhisboy'spet。
AlltheMistresshadstipulatedwasthatLassmightbeallowedtoremainatThePlaceuntilbabyBruceshouldnolongerneedher。
"Bruce，"saidtheMistressasthecarrolledupthedriveandoutofsight，"youarethesolevisibleresultofThePlace'sexperimentinraisingprizecollies。Youhaveatremendousresponsibilityonthosefatlittleshouldersofyours，——toliveuptoitall。"
Bywayofshowinghisscornforsuchtriflesasa"tremendousresponsibility，"BruceproceededtomakeaferociousonslaughtattheMistress'stemperamentalgrayPersiankitten，"Tipperary，"
whichwaspickingamincingwayacrosstheveranda。
Ahowlofpainandtwoscratchesonhistinynoseimmediatelyfollowedtheattack。Tipperarythenwentonwithhermincingpromenade。AndBruce，withloudlamentations，gallopedtotheshelteroftheMistress'sskirt。
"Poorlittlechap！"soothedtheMistress，pickinghimupandcomfortinghim。"Responsibilityisn'tsuchajoke，afterall，isit，Baby？"
CHAPTERII。ThePestThackeray，asalad，wasdroppedfromcollegeforlazinessandforgambling。BismarckfailedtogetaUniversitydegree，becausehelackedpowertostudyandbecausehepreferredmidnightbeertomidnightoil。GeorgeWashington，instudentdays，couldnevergraspthesimplestrulesofspelling。TheyoungLincolnlovedtosprawlintheshadewithfish-poleortatteredbook，whenheshouldhavebeenworking。
Now，thesemenweregiants——physicallyaswellasmentally。Beinggiants，theywerebynatureslowofdevelopment。
Thekitten，atsixmonthsofage，isgracefulandcompactandofperfectpoise。Thelion-cub，atthesameage，isagawkyandfoolishandill-knitmassoflegsandfur；deficientinsenseandinsymmetry。Yetatsixyears，thelionandthecatarenottobecomparedforpowerorbeautyormajestyorbrain，oralonganyotherlines。
TheforegoingisnotanessayontheslowdevelopmentoftheGreat。ItismerelyacondensationoftheMistress'searnestargumentsagainstthesellingorgivingawayofacertainhopelesslyawkwardandsenselessandaltogetherundesirablecolliepupnamedBruce。
Fromtheveryfirst，theMistresshadbeenBruce'schampionatThePlace。Therewasnocompetitionforthatoffice。Sheandshealonecouldseeanypromiseintheshamblingyoungster。
BecausehehadbeenbornonThePlace，andbecausehewastheonlysonofRothsayLass，whom，theMistresshadalsochampionedagainststrongopposition，ithadbeendecidedtokeepandraisehim。Butdailythisdecisionseemedlessandlessworthwhile。
OnlytheMistress'schampioningoftheUndesirablepreventedhisearlybanishment。
Fromafuzzyandadventurousfluff-ballofgray-gold-and-whitefur，Bruceswiftlydevelopedintoalankygiant。Hewasalmostaslargeagainasistheaveragecolliepupofhisage；but，bigashewas，hislegsandfeetandheadwerehuge，outofallproportiontotherestofhim。Theheaddidnotbotherhim。Beinghamperedbynoweightofbrain，itwouldbenavigatedwithmoreorlessease，inspiteofitsbulk。Butthelegsandfeetwerenotonlyinhisownway，butineveryoneelse's。
Heseemedtotallylackinginsense，aswellasinbodilycoordination。Hewasforevergettingintoneedlesstrouble。Hewasastormcenter。Noonebutabornfool——canineorhuman——couldpossiblyhavecausedone-tenthasmuchbother。
TheMistresshadnamedhim"Bruce，"afterthestatelyScottishchieftainwhowasherhistory-hero。AndshestillcalledhimBruce——fiftytimesaday——inthewearyhopeofteachinghimhisname。ButeveryoneelseonThePlacegavehimatitleinsteadofaname——atitlethatstuck："ThePest。"Hespenttwenty-fourhours，daily，livinguptoit。
ComparedwithBruce'shelplesslyclownishtrouble-seekingpropensities，CharlieChaplin'sscreenexploitsaremiraclesofheroicdignityandofgoodluck。
Therewasalittleartificialwater-lilypoolonThePlace，perhapsfourfeetdeep。Byactualcount，Brucefellintoitnolessthanninetimesinasingleweek。Onceortwicehehadnearlydrownedtherebeforesomememberofthefamilychancedtofishhimout。And，learningnothingfromexperience，hewouldfallinagain，promptly，thenextday。
TheMasteratlastriggedupasortofslopingwoodenplatform，runningfromthelipofthepoolintothewater，sothatBrucecouldcrawlouteasily，nexttimeheshouldtumblein。Brucewatchedtheplacingofthisplatformwithmuchgraveinterest。
Themomentitwascompleted，hetrotteddownitonatourofinvestigation。Atitsloweredgeheslippedandrolledintothepool。Therehefloundered，withnothoughtatallofclimbingoutashehadgotin，untiltheMasterrescuedhimandspreadawirenetoverthewholepooltoavertfutureaccidents。
Thenceforth，Brucemetwithnoworsemischance，there，thanthe-
perpetualcatchingofhistoe-padsinthemeshesofthewire。
Thusensnaredhewouldstand，howlingmostlamentably，untilhisyellsbroughtrescue。
Thoughthepoolcouldbecoveredwithanet，thewidelakeatthefootofthelawncouldnotbe。IntothelakeBrucewouldwadetillthewaterreachedhisshoulders。Thenwithasquealofventuresomejoy，hewouldlaunchhimselfoutwardforaswim；and，oncefacingawayfromshore，heneverhadsenseenoughtoturnaround。
Afterahalf-hourofsteadyswimming，hissoftyoungstrengthwouldcollapse。Ahowlofterrorwouldapprisetheworldatlargethathewasabouttodrown。Whereatsomepassingboatmanwouldpickhimupandholdhimforransom，orelsesomeonefromThePlacemustjumpintoskifforcanoeandhiewithallspeedtotherescue。Thesamethingwouldberepeateddayafterday。
ThelocalS。P。C。A。threatenedtobringactionagainsttheMasterforlettinghisdogriskdeath，inthisway，fromdrowning。
Morbidly，theMasterwishedtheriskmightvergeintoacertainty。
Thepuppy'sravenousappetitewasthewonderofall。Hestoppedeatingonlywhentherewasnothingedibleinreach。Andashisideasofediblefoodembracedeverythingthatwaschewable，——frombath-towelstoaxle-grease——hewasseldomfastingandwasfrequentlyill。
Naturedoesmoreforanimalsthanforhumans。Byasingleexperienceshewarnsthem，asarule，whattheymaysafelyeatandwhattheymaynot。Brucewastheexception。Hewouldpounceuponanddevouralusciousbitoflaundry-soapwithjustasmuchrelishasthoughasimilarbitofsoaphadnotmadehimhorriblysickthedaybefore。
Oncehemunched，relishfully，atwo-poundboxofstarch，boxandall；onhisrecovery，hebeganuponasecondbox，andwasunhappywhenitwastakenfromhim。
Hewouldgreetmembersofthefamilywithfalsetto-thunderousbarksofchallengeastheycamedownthedrivefromthehighway。
ButhewouldfriskoutinjoyouswelcometomeetandfawnupontrampsorpeddlerswhosoughttoinvadeThePlace。Hecouldscarcelearnhisownname。Hecouldhardlybetaughttoobeythesimplestcommand。Asforshakinghandsorlyingdownatorder（thosetwoearliestbitsofanydog'seducation），theymeantnomoretoBrucethandidthetheoryofquadraticequations。
Atthreemonthshelaunchedforthmerrilyasachicken-killer；
gleefullyrunningdownandbeheadingThePlace'sbiggestOrpingtonrooster。Buthisfirstkillwashislast。TheMastersawtothat。
Thereisnouseinthrashingadogforkillingpoultry。Thereisbutonepracticallysurecureforthehabit。AndthisonecuretheMasterapplied。
HetiedtheslainroosterfirmlyaroundBruce'sfurrythroat，andmadethepuppywearit，asaheavyandincreasinglymalodorouspendant，forthreewarmdaysandnights。
Beforetheendofthisseventy-two-hourperiod，Brucehadgrowntoloathethesightandscentofchicken。Stupidashewas，helearnedthislessonwithabsolutethoroughness，——aswillalmostanychicken-killingpup，——anditseemedtobetheonlyteachingthathisunawakenedyoungbrainhadthepowertograsp。
Inlooks，too，Brucewasafailure。Hisyellowish-and-whitebodywasallbutshapeless。Hiscoatwasthickandheavyenough，butitshowedatendencytocurl——almosttokink——insteadofwavingcrisply，asacollie'sought。Theheadwascoarseandblurredinline。Thebodywasgaunt，inspiteofitsincessantfeedings。Asforcontourorstyle——
ItwaswhentheMaster，indisgust，pointedoutthesediversefailingsofthepup，thattheMistresswaswonttodrawonhistoricprecedentforotherinstancesofslowdevelopment，andtotakeinvainthenamesofThackeray，Lincoln，WashingtonandBismarckandtherest。
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