For the best part of a month thereafter Link Ferris floated
through a universe of roseate lights and soft music.

Then came the jar of awakening.

It was one Saturday evening, a week or so before the date set for
the wedding. Dorcas broached a theme which had been much in her
mind since the beginning of the engagement. She approached it
very tactfully indeed, leading up to it in true feminine fashion
by means of a cunningly devised series of levels which would have
been the despair of a mining engineer. Having paved the way she
remarked carelessly:

"John Iglehart was at the store to-day, father says. He's crazy
about that big collie of yours."

Instantly Link was full of glad interest. It had been a sorrow to
him that Dorcas did not like dogs. She had explained her
dislike--purely on general principles--early in their
acquaintance, and had told him of its origin. Link was certain
she would come to love Chum, on intimate acquaintance. In the
interim he did not seek to force her liking by bringing the
collie to the Chatham house when he called.

Link did not believe in crossing a bridge until he came to it.
There would be plenty of time for Dorcas to make friends with
Chum in the long and happy days to come. Yet, now, he rejoiced
that she herself should have been the first to broach the
subject.