his dog(¹·¶ùÀ³µÂ)-µÚ19½Ú
°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿£¡
¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªÎ´ÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡
dearie¡£¡¡Honest£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡have¡£¡¡Can't¡¡you¡¡understand£¿¡¡Your¡¡little¡¡finger¡¡means¡¡
a¡¡heap¡¡more¡¡to¡¡me¡¡than¡¡ev'rything¡¡else¡¡there¡¡isexcept¡¡the¡¡rest¡¡of¡¡you¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨And¡¡your¡¡dog£»¡¨¡¡she¡¡supplemented¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨No£¡¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡denied¡¡¡¡¡¡fiercely¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡¡¡¡¡got¡¡¡¡¡¡no¡¡¡¡¡¡right¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡say¡¡¡¡that£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡¡¡¡¡Chum's¡¡
served¡¡me¡¡faithful¡£¡¡And¡¡I¡¡can't¡¡kick¡¡him¡¡out¡¡like¡¡he¡¡was¡¡a¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Now¡¡you¡¡are¡¡getting¡¡angry¡¡again£¡¡¨¡¡she¡¡accused£»¡¡pale¡¡and¡¡furious¡£¡¡¡¨I¡¡
don't¡¡¡¡¡¡care¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡howled¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡case¡¡¡¡¡¡stands¡¡¡¡¡¡like¡¡¡¡¡¡this£º¡¡¡¡¡¡You¡¡¡¡¡¡must¡¡¡¡¡¡choose¡¡
whether¡¡to¡¡get¡¡rid¡¡of¡¡that¡¡dog¡¡or¡¡to¡¡lose¡¡me¡£¡¡Take¡¡your¡¡choice¡£¡¡If¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡read¡¡in¡¡a¡¡story¡¡book¡¡about¡¡a¡¡feller¡¡that¡¡had¡¡a¡¡thing¡¡like¡¡that¡¡put¡¡up¡¡to¡¡
him£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡poor¡¡Link£»¡¡unable¡¡to¡¡believe¡¡she¡¡was¡¡in¡¡earnest¡£¡¡¡¨His¡¡girl¡¡said£º¡¡
'You¡¡¡¡¡¡gotta¡¡¡¡¡¡choose¡¡¡¡¡¡between¡¡¡¡¡¡me¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡tobacco¡£'¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡said£º¡¡¡¡¡¡'I'll¡¡¡¡¡¡choose¡¡
tobacco¡£¡¡Not¡¡that¡¡I¡¡value¡¡tobacco¡¡so¡¡all¡fired¡¡much£»'¡¡he¡¡says£»¡¡'but¡¡because¡¡a¡¡
girl£»¡¡who'd¡¡make¡¡a¡¡man¡¡take¡¡such¡¡a¡¡choice£»¡¡ain't¡¡worth¡¡giving¡¡up¡¡tobacco¡¡
for¡£'¡¡You¡¡see£»¡¡dearie£»¡¡it's¡¡this¡¡way¡¡¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You'll¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡dog¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡your¡¡¡¡¡¡house¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡your¡¡¡¡¡¡possession£»¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡68¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡69¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡HIS¡¡DOG¡¡
inside¡¡of¡¡twenty¡four¡¡hours£»¡¨¡¡she¡¡decreed£»¡¡the¡¡white¡¡anger¡¡of¡¡a¡¡grave¡eyed¡¡
woman¡¡making¡¡her¡¡cold¡¡voice¡¡vibrate£»¡¡¡¨or¡¡you¡¡will¡¡drop¡¡my¡¡acquaintance¡£¡¡
That¡¡is¡¡final¡£¡¡And¡¡it's¡¡definite¡£¡¡The¡¡engagement¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡overuntil¡¡I¡¡hear¡¡that¡¡
your¡¡dog¡¡is¡¡killed¡¡or¡¡given¡¡away¡¡or¡¡sold¡£¡¡Good¡¡night£¡¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡¡¡¡¡left¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡room¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡vindictive¡¡¡¡¡¡haste¡£¡¡¡¡So¡¡overwhelmingly¡¡¡¡angry¡¡¡¡was¡¡
she¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡closed¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡door¡¡¡¡¡¡softly¡¡¡¡¡¡behind¡¡¡¡¡¡her£»¡¡¡¡¡¡instead¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡slamming¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡£¡¡
Through¡¡all¡¡his¡¡swirl¡¡of¡¡misery¡¡Link¡¡had¡¡sense¡¡enough¡¡to¡¡note¡¡this¡¡final¡¡
symptom¡¡and¡¡wonder¡¡bitterly¡¡at¡¡it¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡On¡¡his¡¡way¡¡out¡¡of¡¡the¡¡house¡¡he¡¡was¡¡hailed¡¡by¡¡a¡¡highpitched¡¡baby¡¡voice¡¡
from¡¡¡¡¡¡somewhere¡¡¡¡¡¡above¡¡¡¡¡¡him¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Olive¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡crawled¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡bed£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡
white¡¡flannel¡¡pajamas¡¡she¡¡was¡¡leaning¡¡over¡¡the¡¡upper¡¡balustrade¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Link£¡¡¨¡¡she¡¡called¡¡down¡¡to¡¡the¡¡wretched¡¡man¡¡at¡¡the¡¡front¡¡door¡£¡¡¡¨When¡¡
you¡¡and¡¡Dorcas¡¡gets¡¡married¡¡together£»¡¡I'm¡¡comin'¡¡to¡¡live¡¡wiv¡¡you£¡¡¡Then¡¡I¡¡
can¡¡play¡¡wiv¡¡Chummie¡¡all¡¡I¡¡want¡¡to£¡¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Link¡¡bolted¡¡out¡¡to¡¡the¡¡street¡¡in¡¡the¡¡midst¡¡of¡¡her¡¡announcement¡£¡¡And£»¡¡so¡¡
occupied¡¡was¡¡he¡¡in¡¡trying¡¡to¡¡swallow¡¡a¡¡lump¡¡in¡¡his¡¡own¡¡throat£»¡¡he¡¡failed¡¡to¡¡
hear¡¡the¡¡sound¡¡of¡¡stifled¡¡sobbing¡¡from¡¡behind¡¡a¡¡locked¡¡door¡¡somewhere¡¡in¡¡
the¡¡upper¡¡reaches¡¡of¡¡the¡¡house¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡As¡¡the¡¡night¡¡wore¡¡on£»¡¡the¡¡sleepless¡¡girl¡¡sought¡¡to¡¡comfort¡¡herself¡¡in¡¡the¡¡
thought¡¡that¡¡Link¡¡had¡¡not¡¡definitely¡¡refused¡¡her¡¡terms¡£¡¡A¡¡night's¡¡reflection¡¡
and¡¡an¡¡attitude¡¡of¡¡unbending¡¡aloofness¡¡on¡¡her¡¡own¡¡part¡¡might¡¡well¡¡bring¡¡
him¡¡to¡¡a¡¡surrender¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Perhaps¡¡it¡¡was¡¡something¡¡in¡¡Link¡¡Ferris's¡¡dejected¡¡gait£»¡¡as¡¡he¡¡turned¡¡
into¡¡his¡¡own¡¡lane¡¡that¡¡night£»¡¡perhaps¡¡it¡¡was¡¡the¡¡instinct¡¡which¡¡tells¡¡a¡¡collie¡¡
when¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡loved¡¡¡¡¡¡human¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡unhappybut¡¡¡¡¡¡Chum¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡once¡¡¡¡¡¡aware¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡
master's¡¡woe¡£¡¡The¡¡dog£»¡¡at¡¡first¡¡sound¡¡of¡¡Link's¡¡approaching¡¡steps£»¡¡bounded¡¡
from¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡vigil¡¡¡¡¡¡place¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡porch¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡frisked¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡joyously¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡through¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
darkness¡¡to¡¡meet¡¡him¡£¡¡He¡¡sent¡¡forth¡¡a¡¡trumpeting¡¡bark¡¡of¡¡welcome¡¡as¡¡he¡¡
ran¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Thenfifty¡¡¡¡¡¡feet¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡oncoming¡¡¡¡¡¡manthe¡¡¡¡¡¡big¡¡¡¡¡¡collie¡¡¡¡¡¡halted¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡
stood¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡¡¡instant¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡ears¡¡¡¡¡¡cocked¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡eyes¡¡¡¡¡¡troubled¡£¡¡After¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡
resumed¡¡his¡¡advance£»¡¡but¡¡at¡¡a¡¡solemn¡¡trot¡¡and¡¡with¡¡downcast¡¡mien¡£¡¡As¡¡he¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡69¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡70¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡HIS¡¡DOG¡¡
reached¡¡Link£»¡¡the¡¡collie¡¡whined¡¡softly¡¡under¡¡his¡¡breath£»¡¡gazing¡¡wistfully¡¡
up¡¡into¡¡Ferris's¡¡face¡¡and¡¡then¡¡thrusting¡¡his¡¡cold¡¡nose¡¡lovingly¡¡into¡¡one¡¡of¡¡
the¡¡man's¡¡loose¡¡¡hanging¡¡hands¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Link¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡winced¡¡¡¡¡¡visibly¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡sound¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡jubilantly¡¡¡¡¡¡welcoming¡¡¡¡¡¡bark¡£¡¡
Now£»¡¡noting¡¡the¡¡sudden¡¡change¡¡in¡¡the¡¡collie's¡¡demeanor£»¡¡he¡¡stooped¡¡and¡¡
caught¡¡the¡¡silken¡¡head¡¡between¡¡his¡¡hands¡£¡¡The¡¡gesture¡¡was¡¡rough£»¡¡almost¡¡
painful¡£¡¡Yet¡¡Chum¡¡knew¡¡it¡¡was¡¡a¡¡caress¡£¡¡And¡¡his¡¡drooping¡¡plume¡¡of¡¡a¡¡tail¡¡
began¡¡to¡¡wag¡¡in¡¡response¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Oh£»¡¡¡¡¡¡CHUM£¡¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡exclaimed¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡man¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡something¡¡¡¡¡¡akin¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡groan¡£¡¡
¡¨You¡¡know¡¡all¡¡about¡¡it£»¡¡don't¡¡you£»¡¡old¡¡friend£¿¡¡You¡¡know¡¡I'm¡¡the¡¡miser'blest¡¡
man¡¡in¡¡North¡¡Jersey¡£¡¡You¡¡know¡¡it¡¡without¡¡me¡¡having¡¡to¡¡say¡¡a¡¡word¡£¡¡And¡¡
you're¡¡doing¡¡your¡¡level¡¡best¡¡to¡¡comfort¡¡me¡£¡¡Just¡¡like¡¡you¡¡always¡¡do¡£¡¡You¡¡
never¡¡get¡¡cranky£»¡¡and¡¡you¡¡never¡¡say¡¡I¡¡gotta¡¡choose¡¡betwixt¡¡this¡¡and¡¡that£»¡¡
and¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡never¡¡¡¡¡¡get¡¡¡¡¡¡sore¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡me¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡You're¡¡¡¡¡¡just¡¡¡¡¡¡my¡¡¡¡¡¡chum¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡¡¡¡¡you're¡¡¡¡¡¡fool¡¡
enough¡¡to¡¡think¡¡I'm¡¡all¡¡right¡£¡¡Yet¡¡she¡¡says¡¡I¡¡gotta¡¡get¡¡rid¡¡of¡¡you£¡¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡dog¡¡¡¡¡¡pressed¡¡¡¡¡¡closer¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡him£»¡¡¡¡¡¡still¡¡¡¡¡¡whining¡¡¡¡¡¡softly¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡licking¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
roughly¡¡caressing¡¡hands¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨What'm¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡going¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡do£»¡¡¡¡¡¡Chummie£¿¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡demanded¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Link¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡brokenly¡£¡¡
¡¨What'm¡¡I¡¡going¡¡to¡¡do¡¡about¡¡it£¿¡¡I¡¡s'pose¡¡any¡¡other¡¡feller'd¡¡call¡¡me¡¡a¡¡fool¡¡
like¡¡she¡¡thinks¡¡I¡¡am¡¡and¡¡tell¡¡me¡¡to¡¡sell¡¡you¡£¡¡If¡¡you¡¡was¡¡some¡¡dogs£»¡¡that'd¡¡
be¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡¡¡right¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡YOU£»¡¡¡¡¡¡Chum¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Not¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡£¡¡¡¡You'd¡¡¡¡¡¡mope¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡
grieve¡¡for¡¡me£»¡¡and¡¡you'd¡¡be¡¡wond'ring¡¡why¡¡I'd¡¡deserted¡¡you¡¡after¡¡all¡¡these¡¡
years¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡¡¡¡¡you'd¡¡¡¡¡¡get¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡pining¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡maybe¡¡¡¡¡¡go¡¡¡¡¡¡sick¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡feller¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡
bought¡¡you¡¡wouldn't¡¡understand¡£¡¡And¡¡most¡¡likely¡¡he'd¡¡whale¡¡you¡¡for¡¡not¡¡
being¡¡more¡¡chipper¡like¡£¡¡And¡¡you¡¡haven't¡¡ever¡¡been¡¡hit¡£¡¡I'dI'd¡¡a¡¡blame'¡¡
sight¡¡sooner¡¡shoot¡¡you£»¡¡than¡¡to¡¡let¡¡anyone¡¡else¡¡have¡¡you£»¡¡to¡¡abuse¡¡you¡¡and¡¡
let¡¡you¡¡be¡¡unhappy¡¡for¡¡me£»¡¡Chum¡£¡¡A¡¡blame'¡¡sight¡¡rather¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Side¡¡by¡¡side¡¡they¡¡moved¡¡on¡¡into¡¡the¡¡darkened¡¡house¡£¡¡There£»¡¡with¡¡the¡¡
dog¡¡curled¡¡at¡¡his¡¡feet£»¡¡Link¡¡Ferris¡¡lay¡¡broad¡¡awake¡¡until¡¡sunrise¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Early¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡next¡¡¡¡¡¡afternoon¡¡¡¡¡¡Dorcas¡¡¡¡¡¡decided¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡stood¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡need¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡brisk£»¡¡
outdoor¡¡¡¡¡¡exercise¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Olive¡¡¡¡¡¡came¡¡¡¡¡¡running¡¡¡¡¡¡down¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡path¡¡¡¡¡¡after¡¡¡¡¡¡her£»¡¡¡¡¡¡eagerly¡¡
demanding¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡taken¡¡¡¡¡¡along¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Dorcas¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡much¡¡¡¡¡¡sternness¡¡¡¡¡¡bade¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡go¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡70¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡71¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡HIS¡¡DOG¡¡
back¡£¡¡She¡¡wanted¡¡to¡¡be¡¡alone£»¡¡unlessBut¡¡she¡¡refused¡¡to¡¡admit¡¡to¡¡herself¡¡
that¡¡there¡¡was¡¡any¡¡¡¨unless¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Olive£»¡¡¡¡¡¡grievously¡¡¡¡¡¡disappointed£»¡¡¡¡¡¡stood¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡steps£»¡¡¡¡¡¡watching¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡big¡¡
sister¡¡set¡¡off¡¡up¡¡the¡¡¡¡road¡£¡¡She¡¡saw¡¡Dorcas¡¡take¡¡¡¡the¡¡righthand¡¡turn¡¡at¡¡the¡¡
fork¡£¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡baby's¡¡¡¡¡¡face¡¡¡¡¡¡cleared¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Now¡¡she¡¡knew¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡direction¡¡¡¡¡¡Dorcas¡¡
was¡¡going¡£¡¡That¡¡fork¡¡led¡¡to¡¡the¡¡Glen¡£¡¡And¡¡the¡¡Glen¡¡was¡¡a¡¡favorite¡¡Sunday¡¡
afternoon¡¡ramble¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡Link¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡Chum¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Olive¡¡knew¡¡that£»¡¡because¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡
Dorcas¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡more¡¡than¡¡once¡¡had¡¡walked¡¡thither¡¡to¡¡meet¡¡them¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Olive¡¡was¡¡pleasantly¡¡forgetful¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡her¡¡parents'¡¡positive¡¡command¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡
she¡¡refrain¡¡from¡¡walking¡¡alone¡¡on¡¡the¡¡motor¡infested¡¡Sunday¡¡roads¡£¡¡She¡¡
set¡¡off¡¡at¡¡a¡¡fast¡¡jog¡¡trot¡¡over¡¡the¡¡nearby¡¡hill£»¡¡on¡¡whose¡¡other¡¡side¡¡ran¡¡the¡¡
Glen¡¡road¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Link¡¡Ferris£»¡¡with¡¡Chum¡¡at¡¡his¡¡heels£»¡¡was¡¡tramping¡¡moodily¡¡toward¡¡the¡¡
Glen¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡As¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡turned¡¡¡¡¡¡into¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡road¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡paused¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡sullen¡¡¡¡¡¡walk¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡There£»¡¡
strolling¡¡unconcernedly£»¡¡some¡¡yards¡¡in¡¡front¡¡of¡¡him£»¡¡was¡¡a¡¡tall¡¡girl¡¡in¡¡white¡£¡¡
Her¡¡back¡¡was¡¡toward¡¡him¡£¡¡Yet¡¡he¡¡would¡¡have¡¡recognized¡¡her¡¡at¡¡a¡¡hundred¡¡
times¡¡the¡¡distance¡£¡¡Chum¡¡knew¡¡her£»¡¡too£»¡¡for¡¡he¡¡wagged¡¡his¡¡tail¡¡and¡¡started¡¡
at¡¡a¡¡faster¡¡trot¡¡to¡¡overtake¡¡her¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Back£¡¡¨¡¡called¡¡Link¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Purposely¡¡he¡¡spoke¡¡as¡¡low¡¡as¡¡possible¡£¡¡But¡¡the¡¡dog¡¡heard¡¡and¡¡obeyed¡£¡¡
The¡¡girl£»¡¡too£»¡¡started¡¡a¡¡little£»¡¡and¡¡made¡¡as¡¡if¡¡to¡¡turn¡£¡¡Just¡¡then¡¡ensued¡¡a¡¡wild¡¡
crackling¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡thick¡¡¡¡¡¡roadside¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡bushes¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡lined¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡hillside¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡
highway¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡crest¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡white¡clad¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡little¡¡¡¡bunch¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡humanity¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡came¡¡
galloping¡¡jubilantly¡¡out¡¡into¡¡the¡¡road£»¡¡midway¡¡between¡¡Dorcas¡¡and¡¡Link¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡At¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡road¡¡¡¡¡¡edge¡¡¡¡Olive's¡¡¡¡¡¡stubby¡¡¡¡toe¡¡¡¡caught¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡noose¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡blackberry¡¡
vine¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡As¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡youngster¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡running¡¡¡¡¡¡full¡¡¡¡¡¡tilt£»¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡own¡¡¡¡¡¡impetus¡¡¡¡¡¡sent¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡
rolling¡¡over¡¡and¡¡over¡¡into¡¡the¡¡center¡¡of¡¡the¡¡dusty¡¡turnpike¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Before¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡could¡¡¡¡¡¡get¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡feet¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡¡¡even¡¡¡¡¡¡stop¡¡¡¡¡¡rolling£»¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡touring¡¡¡¡¡¡car¡¡
came¡¡round¡¡the¡¡bend£»¡¡ten¡¡yards¡¡awaya¡¡car¡¡that¡¡was¡¡traveling¡¡at¡¡a¡¡speed¡¡
of¡¡something¡¡like¡¡forty¡five¡¡miles¡¡an¡¡hour£»¡¡and¡¡whose¡¡four¡¡occupants¡¡were¡¡
singing¡¡at¡¡the¡¡top¡¡of¡¡their¡¡lungs¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Link¡¡Ferris¡¡had¡¡scarce¡¡time¡¡to¡¡tense¡¡his¡¡muscles¡¡for¡¡a¡¡futile¡¡spring¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡71¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡72¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡HIS¡¡DOG¡¡
Dorcas's¡¡¡¡¡¡scream¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡helpless¡¡¡¡¡¡terror¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡still¡¡¡¡¡¡unbornwhen¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡car¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡
upon¡¡the¡¡prostrate¡¡child¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡in¡¡the¡¡same¡¡fraction¡¡of¡¡a¡¡second¡¡a¡¡furry¡¡catapult¡¡launched¡¡itself¡¡
across¡¡the¡¡wide¡¡road¡¡at¡¡a¡¡speed¡¡that¡¡made¡¡it¡¡look¡¡like¡¡tawny¡¡blur¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Chum's¡¡mad¡¡leap¡¡carried¡¡him¡¡to¡¡the¡¡baby¡¡just¡¡as¡¡the¡¡car's¡¡fender¡¡h