petting his silken head, running her white fingers through his
shining mahogany coat; making crooning little friendly noises to
him.

Lad forgot he was a dignified and stately pocket-edition of a
collie. Under this spell, he changed in a second to an
excessively loving and nestling and adoring puppy.

"Just the same," interposed the Master, "we've been stung. I
wanted a dog to guard the Place and to be a menace to burglars
and all that sort of thing. And they've sent us a Teddy-Bear. I
think I'll ship him back and get a grown one. What sort of use
is--?"

"He is going to be all those things," eagerly prophesied the
Mistress. "And a hundred more. See how he loves to have me pet
him! And, look--he's learned, already, to shake hands; and--"

"Fine!" applauded the Master. "So when it comes our turn to be
visited by this motor-Raffles, the puppy will shake hands with
him, and register love of petting; and the burly marauder will be
so touched by Lad's friendliness that he'll not only spare our
house but lead an upright life ever after. I--"

"Don't send him back!" she pleaded. "He'll grow up, soon, and--"

"And if only the courteous burglars will wait till he's a couple
of years old," suggested the Master, "he--"

Set gently on the floor by the Mistress, Laddie had crossed to