"Then, again," pursued the Toy Breeds man, "he's got to leave his
heart at home, if he doesn't want it to ache when he has to
'gate' the second-rate mutts shown by outsiders who never
exhibited before and who think their pet dog ought to get every
prize because he's so cunning and friendly. I hate to--"

The Mistress came hurrying up from a careful inspection of the
line of collies. Drawing her husband aside, she whispered,
excitedly

"There's only one other collie here, whose coat can anywhere near
equal Laddie's. The rest are all in shabby summer coat. Come
across and let me show him to you. I'm--I'm afraid he has a
gorgeous coat. Not that _I_ think it's half as good as Lad's,"
she added, loyally, as she piloted the Master between the double
lines of clamorous dogs. "But--oh, I'm so afraid the judge may
think it is! You see, he doesn't know Laddie as we do."

She stopped before a bench whereon lay a pale golden sable
collie; almost corn-colored; who boasted a wealth and
magnificence of coat that made the Master open his eyes wide.

The dog was smaller and slighter of frame than was Lad. Nor, in
head and expression, was he Lad's equal. But his coat was every
bit as luxuriant. Indeed, there was perhaps a shade more of it
than Lad carried.

A collie's coat, as a rule, takes about seven months to grow.
Thus, each year, it comes into full bloom a little later than on
the year before. And, in course of time, it is prone to reach its