"Oh," she gasped at last, looking into his eyes questioningly. "Did he
bite me? I was not sure, you know. He gave such an awful leap for me.
How did you do it?"

"A simple twist of the wrist, as the prestidigitators say. You had a
close call, my dear Mrs. Delancy." He was a-quiver with new sensations
that were sending his spirits sky high. After all it was not turning out
so badly.

"He would have dragged me down had it not been for you. And I might have
been torn to pieces," she shuddered, glancing down at the now infuriated
dog.

"It would have been appalling," he agreed, discreetly allowing her to
imagine the worst.

"How can I ever thank you?" cried she impulsively. He made a very
creditable show of embarrassment in the effort to convince her that he
had accomplished only what any man would have attempted under similar
circumstances. She was thoroughly convinced that no other man could have
succeeded.

"Well, we're in a pretty position, are we not?" he asked in the end.

"I think I can stick on without being held, Mr. Crosby," she said, and
his arm slowly and regretfully came to parade rest.

"Are you sure you won't get dizzy?" he demanded in deep solicitude.