deigned to look at the group of humans at one side of him.
Gravely, impersonally, he surveyed them; not at all cowed or
strange in his new surroundings; courteously inquisitive as to
the twist of luck that had set him down here and as to the people
who, presumably, were to be his future companions.

Perhaps the stout little heart quivered just a bit, if memory
went back to his home kennel and to the rowdy throng of brothers
and sisters and most of all, to the soft furry mother against
whose side he had nestled every night since he was born. But if
so, Lad was too valiant to show homesickness by so much as a
whimper. And, assuredly, this House of Peace was infinitely
better than the miserable crate wherein he had spent twenty
horrible and jouncing and smelly and noisy hours.

From one to another of the group strayed the level sorrowful
gaze. After the swift inspection, Laddie's eyes rested again on
the Mistress. For an instant, he stood, looking at her, in that
mildly polite curiosity which held no hint of personal interest.

Then, all at once, his plumy tail began to wave. Into his sad
eyes sprang a flicker of warm friendliness. Unbidden--oblivious
of everyone else he trotted across to where the Mistress sat. He
put one tiny white paw in her lap; and stood thus, looking up
lovingly into her face, tail awag, eyes shining.

"There's no question whose dog he's going to be," laughed the
Master. "He's elected you,--by acclamation."

The Mistress caught up into her arms the halfgrown youngster,