the Master's mind back to earth and the Master's body to its
feet. Sniffing, he went out to find the cause of the smell. The
chimneys and the roof and the windows of the house showing no
sign of smoke, he explored farther; and presently located the
odor's origin in a small brush-fire at some distance behind the
stables. Two of the men were raking pruned vine-suckers and
leaves onto the blaze. The wind set away from the house and
stables. There was nothing to worry over. Ashamed of his own
fussiness, the Master went back to his work.

As he passed the open study window, on his way indoors, a motion
inside made him stop. He was just in time to see Lady trot into
the room, crouch playfully, and then spring full at the stuffed
eagle.

His shout deflected the young dog's leap, and kept her merrily
outstretched jaws from closing on the bird. As it was, the impact
knocked the eagle and the papier-mache stump to the floor; with
much clatter and dust.

The Master vaulted in through the window; arriving on the study
floor almost as soon as did the overthrown bird. Lady was
slinking out into the hall; crestfallen and scared. The Master
collared her and brought her back to the scene of her mischief.

The collie had disobeyed him. Flagrantly she had sinned in
assailing the bird; after his injunction of "Let it alone!" There
could be no doubt, from her wriggling aspect of guilt, that she
knew she was doing wrong. Worse, she had taken sneaky advantage
of his absence in order to spring at the eagle. And disgust