"The best sporting dog in Athabasca," he said promptly, but without any
resentment.

Colina bit her lip again. It seemed as if everything she did was mean.
"Of course his looks haven't anything to do with his good qualities,"
she said. Here she was apologizing.

"He's almost human," said the young man. "I talk to him like a person."

"Come here, dog," said Colina.

The animal was suddenly stricken with deafness.

"What's his name?" she asked.

"Job."

"Come here, Job!" said Colina coaxingly.

Job looked out across the river.

"Job!" said his master sternly.

The dog sprang to him as if they had been parted for years, and
frantically licked his hand. This display of boundless affection was
suspiciously self-conscious.

The young man led him to Colina's feet. "Mind your manners!" he
commanded.