no disposition to cultivate Mavis's acquaintance, sent for her and
asked her if she would like to have a dog.

"Nothing I should like better," she replied.

"There's only one objection."

"One can't look gift dogs in the mouth."

"It's a she, a lady dog: there's risk of an occasional family."

"I'll gladly take that."

"She's rather a dear, but she's lately had pups, and some people
might object to her appearance."

"I know I should love her."

"She's a cocker spaniel--her name's Jill. She belongs to my boy,
Harold. But as he's away--"

"Then we've already met. I saw her the day I came down to see you
from London. You're right--she is a dear."

"My boy, who is still away for his health--"

"I am sorry," Mavis interrupted.

"Thanks. He wrote to say that, as we--some of us--appeared to find
her a nuisance, we'd better try and find her a happy home."