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。