"TakeMr。Gault’scheckandgo，"commandedMarden，thrustingtheslipofpaperatLink。"Ithinkthereisnothingmoretosay。I
　　haveanappointmentat——"
　　Hehesitated。Regardlessoftheothers’presence，Ferrisdroppedtoonekneebesidetheuncomprehendingdog。WithhisarmaboutChum’sneck，hebentclosetothecollie’searandwhispered：
　　"Good—by，Chummie!It’sgood—by，ferkeeps，too。Don’tyougettothinkin’I’vegonean’desertedyou，norgottiredofyou，nornothnn’，Chum。BecauseI’dadam’sightrutherleaveoneofmytwolegsherethantoleaveyou。I——IguessonlyGawdrightlyknowsallyoudoneferme，Chum。ButIain’ta—goin’tofergetnoneofit。Lord，butit’sgoin’tobeprettyturrible，tohome，withoutyou!"Hegottohisfeet，winkingbackamistfromhisredeyes，andturningblindlytowardthedoor。
　　"Here!"boomedMardenafterhim。"You’veforgottenyourcheck。"
　　"Idon’taimtotakenomeaslymoneyfergivin’uptheonlyfriendIgot!"snarledLinkoverhisshoulder。"Keepit——feratip!"
　　Itwasagoodexitline。Butitwasspoiled。Because，asFerrisreachedthedoorandgropedforitsknob，Chumwasbesidehim——gladtogetoutofthisuncongenialassemblyandtobealonewiththemasterwhoseemedsounhappyandsodirelyinneedofconsolation。Linkstiffenedtohisfullheight。Withonehandlovinglylaidonthecollie’ssilkenhead，hemumbled：
　　"No，Chum，youcan’tcomealong。Back，boy!StayHERE!"
　　LoweringatGault，headded：
　　"Heain’tneverbeenhit，noryetsworeat。An’hedon’tneedtobe。Treathimnice，likehe’susedtobein’treated。An’don’tgetsoreonhimifhemopesferme，jes’atfust。Becausehe’ssureto。Dogsain’tlikefolks。Theygothearts。Folkshasonlygotsouls。Iguessdogshasthebestofit，atthat。"
　　Ferrisswungopenthedoorandstumbledout，nottrustinghimselfforabackwardglanceatthewistfullygrieveddoghehadleftbehind。
　　Lurchinglyhemadeoff，acrossthelawnandoutthroughthewicket。Hewasnumbandsick。Hemovedmechanicallyandwithnoconsciouspowerofthoughtoroflocomotion。
　　Outinthehighroad，ahominginstinctguidedhisleadenfeetinthedirectionofHampton。Andheploddeddazedlytheinterminablefourmilesthatseparatedhimfromhisdesolatefarm。
　　Asheturnedinathisowngate，hewasawareofapoignantdreadthatpiercedhisnumbness。Andheknewitforadreadofenteringthehouseandoffindingnoonetowelcomehim。Settinghisteethhewentforward，unlockedthedoorandstampedintothesilentkitchen。
　　Uponthetablehedumpedthepaper—swathedcuphehadbeencarryingunnoticedunderhisarm。Besideithethrewthelittlepursefullofgoldpiecesandthewadofprizeribbons。Steppingback，hisfootstrucksomething。Helookeddownandsawitwasagay—coloredrubberballhehadbought，monthsago，forChum——thedog’sfavoriteplaything。
　　Hisfacetwisting，Linksnatcheduptheballandwentoutontothestepstothrowitfaroutofsight；thatitmightnomoreremindhimofthepetwhohadsooftencoaxedhimtotossitforretrieval。
　　Ferrishurledtheballfaroutintothegarden。Asthemissilelefthishandanexultantbarkre—echoedthroughthesilenceofthesunset。Chum，whohadbeentrottingdemurelyupthewalk，spranggleefullyinpursuitoftheball，andpresentlycamegallopingbacktothedazedlyincredulousLink，withthemany—coloredsphereofrubberbetweenhisjaws。
　　Chumhadhadnotroubleatallincatchinghismaster’strailandfollowingithome。Hewouldhaveovertakentheslow—slouchingFerris，hadhebeenabletoslipoutoftheclubhousesooner。Andnowitpleasedhimtobewelcomedbythisevidentinvitationtoagameofball。
　　Linkgaveagulpingcryandburiedbothhandsinthecollie’sruff，staringdownatthedancingdoginanagonyofrapture。
　　Then，allatonce，hismusclestensed，andhisnewlyflushedfacewentgreen—whiteagain。
　　"I——Iguesswegottoplayitsquare，Chum!"hemutteredaloud，withsomethinglikeagroan。"Iwasblattin’to’em，upthere，howyou’dmadeawhitemanofme。An’areg’larwhitemandon’tkeepwhatain’thisownprop’ty。Comealong，Chummie!"
　　Hisjawverytense，hisbackpainfullystiff，Linkstrodeheavilydownthelaneandoutintothehighroad。Chum，alwayseagerforawalkwithhisgod，friskedabouthimindelight。
　　HehadtraversedthebulkofthedistancetoCraigswold，thedogbesidehim，whenherememberedthathehadlefthishorseandbuggyattheliverystablethereinthemorning。Well，thatwouldsavehisachingfeetafour—milewalkhome。Inthemeantime——
　　HeandChumsteppedtotheroadsidetoavoidafast—travelinglittlemotorcarwhichwasbearingdownonthemfromthedirectionofCraigswold。
　　Thecardidnotpassthem。Instead，itcametoagear—rackinghaltclosebesideFerris。Link，glancingupindulllackofinterest，beheldGaultandthelatter’sdaughterstaringdownathim。
　　"Chumcamehome，"saidFerris，scowlingatthem。"Hetrailedme。
　　Don’tlickhimferit!He’sonlyadog，an’hedidn’tknownobetter。Iwasbringin’himbacktoyou。"
　　Thegirllookedsharplyatherfather。Gaultfidgeteduneasily，ashehaddoneonceortwicethatafternoonintheclubhouse。Andheavoidedhisdaughter’sgaze。SosheturnedherleveleyesonLink。
　　"Mr。Ferris，"shesaidveryquietly，"doyoumeantosay，whenthisdogcamebacktoyou，youwereactuallygoingtoreturnhimtous，insteadofhidinghimsomewheretillthesearchwasover？"
　　"I’mhere，ain’tI？"counteredFerrisdefiantly。
　　"Butwhy？"sheinsisted。"WHY？"
　　"BecauseI’mafool，Is’pose，"hegrowled。"IguessChumwouldn’tcaremuch’boutlivin’withathief。Takehimuptherewithyouontheseat。Don’tlethimfallout。An’"——hisvoicescalingahalfoctaveinitspain——"keephimtohomeafterthis。
　　Iain’tnomeaslyangel。Ican’tswearI’dhavethegrittofetchhimbackanothertime。"
　　Hestopped，tonoteacuriousphenomenon。Therewereactuallytearsinthegirl’sbiggraveeyes。Linkwonderedwhy。Thenshesaid：
　　"Cavalierisn’tmyfather’sdog。Heismine。Myfathergavehimtomewhenheboughthim，lastspring。ColonelMardenseemedtohaveforgottenthatto—day。AndIdidn’twanttostartasquabblebyremindinghimofit。Afterall，it’smyfather’saffair，andmine。Nobodyelse’s。MyfathergotmeanothercollielastspringtotakeCavalier’splace。AcollieI’meversofondof。SoI
　　don’tneedCavalier。Idon’twanthim。Itriedtofindyoutotellyouso。Butyouhadgone。SoIgotmyfathertodrivemetoyourplace。We’dhavestartedsooner，butCavaliergotaway。Andwewaitedtolookforhim——tobringhimalong。"
　　"Bringhimalong？"mutteringlyechoedtheblankbrainedLink。
　　"Whatfer？"
　　"Why，"laughedthegirl，"becauseyourhouseiswherehebelongsandwhereheisgoingtolive。Justashehasbeenlivingallsummer。
　　Ferriscaughthisbreathinachokedwheezeofunbelievingecstasy。
　　"Gawd!"hebreathed。"GAWD!"
　　Then，hestammeredbrokenly"They——theydon’tseemnorightwordsto——tothankyouin，Ma’am。
　　Butmaybeyouund’standwhatI’dwanttosayifIcould？"
　　"Yes，"shesaidgently。"IthinkIunderstand。IunderstoodfromtheminuteIsawyouandthedogtogether。That’swhyIdecidedI
　　didn’twanthim。That’swhyI——"
　　"An’you’llgetthatthousanddollars!"criedLink，hisfingersburiedrapturouslyinChum’sfur。"Ev’rycentofit。I——"
　　"Ithink，"interruptedthegirl，winkingveryfast。"IthinkI’vegotwhatIwanted，already。Myfatherdoesn’twantthemoneyeither。Doyou，Dad？"
　　"Oh，forheaven’ssake，stoprubbingitin!"fumedGault。"Comeonhome!It’sgettingcold。IoughttothanktheLordfornothavingyouanywherenearmeinWallStreet，girl!You’dsendmeunderthehammerinaweek。"
　　Hekickedtheaccelerator，andthelittlecarwhizzedoffinthetwilight。
　　"Chum，"observedFerris，gapingafterit。"Chum，IguessthegoodLordbuiltthatgalthesamedayHebuiltYOU。IfHedid——well，Hesuredoneonegrandday’swork!"
　　CHAPTERIV。TheChoiceLuckhadcomeatlasttotheFerrisfarm。Link’scashwentintoimprovementsontheplace，insteadofgoingintothedeterioratingofhisinnerman。Andheworkedthebetter。Asulkymaniseverpronetobeaninefficientman。AndLinknolongersulked。
　　Allthis—combinedwithawholesaleboominlocalagriculture，andespeciallyintruckgardening——hadwroughtwondersinLink’sfarmandinLink’sbankaccount。WithinthreeyearsofFerris’smeetingwithChumtheplace’slastmortgagewaswipedoutandascoreofneededrepairsandimprovementswereinstalled。AlsothemanhadasmallbutsteadilygrowingsumtohiscreditinaPatersonsavingsbank。
　　Lifeonthefarmwasmightypleasant，nowadays。Workwashard，ofcourse，butitwasbringingresultsthatmadeitmorethanworthwhile。Ferrisandhisdogwerelivingonthefatoftheland。Andtheywerehappy。
　　Thencametheinterruptionthathadbeeninevitablefromtheveryfirst。
　　Ataciturnandeternallydead—brokeman，inaruralregion，neednotfearintrusiononhisprivacy。Convivialfolkmakedetoursroundhim，asifhewereamudpuddle。Thriftierandmorerespectableneighborseyehimaskanceoreyehimnotatall。
　　Butwhenameedofpermanentsuccesscomestosuchamanheneednolongerbelonelyunlesshesowills。Whichisnotcynicism，butcommonsense。Theconvivialelementwillstillfightshyofhim。Butheiswelcomedintothecircleoftherespectable。
　　SoitwaswithLinkFerris。Ofoldhehadbeenknownasashiftlessandharddrinkingmountaineerwithasourfarmthatwasplasteredwithmortgages。Now，hehadclearedoffhismortgagesandhadcleaneduphisfarm；andheandhishomeexudedanincreasingprosperity。
　　People，meetinghiminthenearbyvillageofHamptonoratchurch，begantotreathimwithaconsiderationthatthelong—alooffarmerfoundbewildering。
　　Yethelikeditratherthannot；beingatheartagregarioussoul。Andwithgrufffriendlinesshemettheadvancesofwell—to—doneighborswhoinolddayshadscarcefavoredhimwithanod。
　　ThegradualchangefromtheisolatedlifeofformeryearsdidnotmakeanysortofahitwithChum。Thecolliehadbeenwellcontenttowanderthroughtheday’sworkathismaster’sheels；
　　tobringinthesheepandthecattlefrompasture；toguardthefarmfromintruders——humanorotherwise。
　　IntheeveningsithadbeensweettoloungeatLink’sfeet，onthelittlewhiteporch，inthesummerdusk；ortolieindrowsycontentinfrontoftheglowingkitchenstoveonicynightswhenthegalescreechedthroughthenakedboughsofthedooryardtreesandthesnowscratchedhungrilyatthewindowpanes。
　　Now，thedog’ssensitivebrainwasawareofasubtlealteration。
　　Hedidnotobjectverymuchtotheoccasionalvisitsatthehouseofotherfarmersandtownsfolkduringtheerstwhilequietevenings，althoughhehadbeenhappierintheyearsofpeacefulseclusion。
　　Buthegrievedathismaster’sincreasinglyfrequentabsencesfromhome。Nowadays，onceortwiceaweek，Linkwaswonttodresshimselfinhisbestassoonastheday’sworkwasdone，andfareforthtoHamptonfortheevening。
　　SometimesheletChumgowithhimintheseoutings。Ofteneroflatehehadsaid，ashestartedout：
　　"Notto—night，Chummie。Stayhere。"
　　Obedientlythebigdogwouldlayhimselfdownwithasighontheporchedge；hisheadbetweenhiswhitelittleforepaws；hissorrowfulbrowneyesfollowingtheprogressofhismasterdownthelanetothehighroad。
　　Buthegrieved，asonlyasensitivehighbreddogcangrieve——adogwhoasksnothingbetteroflifethanpermissiontoliveandtodieatthesideofthemanhehaschosenashisgod；tofollowthatgodoutintorainorchill；tostarvewithhim，ifneedbe；
　　tosufferathishands——inshort，todoortobeanythingexcepttobeseparatedfromhim。
　　LinkFerrishadgottenintothehabitofleavingChumaloneathome，oftenerandofteneroflate，ashisowneveningabsencesfromthefarmgrewmoreandmorefrequent。
　　HeleftChumathomebecauseShedidnotlikedogs。
　　"She"wasDorcasChatham，thedaughterofHampton’spostmasterandgeneralstorekeeper。
　　OldManChathaminformerdayswouldhavewelcomedCalWhitson，theofficialvillagesouse，tohishomeasreadilyashewouldhaveadmittedthene’er—do—wellLinkFerristothatsanctuary。
　　ButoflatehehadnotedthegrowingimprovementinLink’sfortunes，asevidencedbyhislargerstoretrade，hisinvariablecashpaymentsandthefrequentmoneyorderswhichwentinhisnametothePatersonsavingsbank。
　　Wherefore，whenDorcasmetLinkatachurchsociableandagainonastrawrideandaskedhimtocomeandseehersometime，hersiremadenoobjection。Indeedhewelcomedthebashfulcallerwithsomethinglikeanapproachtocordiality。
　　Dorcaswasacalm—eyed，efficientdamsel，morethanalittlepretty，andwithmuchreposeofmanner。LinkFerris，fromthefirst，eyedherwithacertainawe。Whenamysticgrowingattractionwasaddedtothisandwhenitinturnmergedintolove，thesenseofawewasnotlost。Ratheritwasstrengthened。
　　Inallhisthirty—oneleanandlonelyyearsLinkhadneverbeforefalleninlove。Attheagewhenmostyouthsaresighingoversomewondergirl，hehadbeentoobusyfightingoffbankruptcyandstarvationtohavetimeorthoughtforsuchthings。
　　Wherefore，whenloveatlastsmotehimitsmotehimhard。Anditfoundhimwoefullyunpreparedforthebattle。
　　Heknewnothingofwomen。Hedidnotknow，forexample，whattheaverageyouthfindsoutinhisteens——thatgraveeyesandsilentaloofnessandloftyself—willandicypietisminamaidendonotalwayssignifythatsheisasaintandthatshemustbeworshipedassuch。Ferrishadnoonetotellhimthatfaroftenerthesesignspointmerelytostupidnarrownessandtolackofideas。
　　Dorcaswascleverathousework。Shewasquietlyself—assured。Shewasgoodtolookupon。ShewasnotlikeanyofthefewgirlsLinkhadmet。Whereforehebuiltforherasacredshrineinhisinnermostheart；andhekneltbeforeherimagethere。
　　IfFerrisfoundherdifferentfromtheotherHamptongirls，Dorcasfoundhimequallydifferentfromthelocalswainssheknew。Sherecognizedhishiddenstrength。Thematernalelementinhernaturesympathizedwithhislonelinessandwiththemarksithadleftuponhissoul。
　　Fortherest——hewasneitheravillagecut—uplikeConSkerly，norasolemnmassofconceitlikeRoyalCrews；norpatronizinglikeyoungLawyerWetherell；norvaguelyrepulsivelikeoldCap’nBaldyTodd，whocamefurtivelya—courtingher。Linkwasdifferent。Andshelikedhim。Shelikedhimmoreandmore。
　　OnceherparentstookDorcasandherfive—year—oldsister，Olive，onaSundayafternoonramble，whichledeventuallytotheFerrisfarm。Linkwelcomedthechancecallersgladly，andshowedthemovertheplace。Dorcas’shousewifelyeyerejoicedinthewell—kepthouse，evenwhileshefrownedinwardlyatitsthousandsignsofbachelorinefficiency。Thestockandthecrops，too，spokeofsolidindustry。
　　Butsheshrankbackinsuddenrevoltasahugetawnycolliecameboundingtowardherfromthefoldwherehehadjustmarshaledthesheepforthenight。Thedogwasbeautiful。Andhemeanthernoharm。Heeventriedshylytomakefriendswiththetallandgrave—eyedguest。Dorcassawallthat。Yetsheshrankfromhimwithinstinctivefear——inspiteofit。
　　Asachildshehadbeenbitten——andbittenbadly——byanondescriptmongrelthathadbeenchasedintotheChathambackyardbyacrowdofstone—throwingboys，andwhichshehadsoughttooustwithastickfromitshidingplaceunderthesteps。SincethenDorcashadhadanunconquerablefearanddislikeofdogs。Thefeelingwasunconquerablebecauseshehadmadenoefforttoconquerit。Shehadhenceforthjudgedalldogsbytheonewhoseteethmarkshadleftalifelongscaronherwhiteforearm。
　　ShehadthegoodbreedingnottoletFerrisseeherdistasteforhispetthathewasjustthenexhibitingsoproudlytotheguests。Hershrinkingwasimperceptible，eventoalover’ssolicitouseye。ButChumnotedit。Andwithacollie’soddsixthsenseheknewthisintruderdidnotlikehim。
　　NotthatheraversiontroubledChumatall；butitpuzzledhim。
　　PeopleasarulewereeffusivelyeagertomakefriendswithChum。
　　And——beingultraconservative，likethebesttypeofcollie——hefoundtheirhandlingandotherattentionsannoying。HehadtakenalikingtoDorcas，atsight。ButsinceshedidnotreturnthislikingChumwaswellcontenttokeepawayfromher。
　　Hewasthemorecontent，becausefive—year—oldOlivehadflungherself，withloudsquealsofrapture，bodilyonthedog；andhadclaspedherfatlittlearmsadoringlyroundhismassivefurrythroatinanecstasyofdelight。
　　Chumhadneverbeforebeenbroughtintosuchclosecontactwithachild。AndLinkwatchedwithsomeslightperturbationthebaby’sonslaught。ButinamomentFerris’smindwasatrest。
　　Atfirsttouchofthebaby’sfingersthecolliehadbecomeonceandforallOlive’sslave。Hefairlyreveledinthediscomfortinglytightcaress。Thetugofthelittlehandsinhissensitiveneckfurwasblisstohim。Wigglingalloverwithhappinesshesoughttolickthechubbyfacepressedsotightagainsthisruff。FromthatinstantChumhadadividedallegiance。HishumangodwasFerris。Butthisfluffypink—and—whiteyoungsterwasamightyclosesecondinhislistofdeities。
　　Dorcaslookedon，tremblingwithfear；asherlittlesisterrompedwiththeadoringdog。Andsheheavedasighofreliefwhenatlasttheywereclearofthefarmwithoutmishaptothebaby。
　　ForOlivehadbeendearertoDorcas，frombirth，thananyoneoranythingelseonearth。TothebabysisteraloneDorcasceasedtobethegrave—eyedandself—assuredLadyofQuality，andbecameameekandworshipingdevotee。
　　WhenLinkFerrisatlastmusteredcouragetoaskDorcasChathamtomarryhimhisformofproposalwouldhavebeenruledoutofanynovelorplay。Itconsistedchieflyofamouthfulofhalf—swallowed，half—explodedwords，spokenallinonepanicbreath，totheaccompanimentofamortalfearthatshookhimtothemarrow。
　　Anyotherwords，thusmouthedandgargled，wouldhaverequiredafullcollegeoflanguagestotranslatethem。ButthespeechwasalongalineperfectlyfamiliartoeverywomansinceEve。AndDorcasunderstood。ShewouldhaveunderstoodhadLinkvoicedhisproposalintheChoctawdialectinsteadofaslurringlymumbledtravestyonEnglish。
　　Theman’sstarkearnestnessofentreatysentaqueerfluttertotheverydepthsofhercalmsoul。Buttheflutterfailedtoreachortotitillatethesteadyeyes。Nordiditcreepintothelevelandself—possessedvoice，asDorcasmadequietanswer：
　　"Yes。IlikeyoubetterthananyothermanIknow。AndI’llmarryyou，ifyou’reperfectlysureyoucareformethatway。"
　　No，itwasnotthesortofreplyJulietmadetothesamequestion。ItismorethandoubtfulthatCleopatraansweredthus，whenAntonyofferedtothrowawaytheworldforhersake。Butitwasawhollycorrectandself—respectingresponse。AndDorcashadbeenrehearsingitfornearlyaweek。
　　Moreover，wordsareofuse，merelyastheyaffecttheirhearers。
　　AndallthepassionpoetryofmenandofangelscouldnothavethrilledLinkFerrisasdidDorcas’scorrectanddemureassenttohisfrenziedlygabbledplea。Itwentthroughthelovesickman’sbrainandheartlikethebreathofGod。
　　Andthusthecouplebecameengaged。
　　WithonlyaslightdiminishingofhisearlierfeardidLinkseekoutOldManChathamtoobtainhisconsenttothematch。Dizzywithjoyandreliefhelistenedtothatvillageworthy’sungraciousassentalsosecretlyrehearsedforsomedays。
　　ForthebestpartofamonththereafterLinkFerrisfloatedthroughauniverseofroseatelightsandsoftmusic。
　　Thencamethejarofawakening。
　　ItwasoneSaturdayevening，aweekorsobeforethedatesetforthewedding。Dorcasbroachedathemewhichhadbeenmuchinhermindsincethebeginningoftheengagement。Sheapproacheditverytactfullyindeed，leadinguptoitintruefemininefashionbymeansofacunninglydevisedseriesoflevelswhichwouldhavebeenthedespairofaminingengineer。Havingpavedthewaysheremarkedcarelessly：
　　"JohnIglehartwasatthestoreto—day，fathersays。He’scrazyaboutthatbigcollieofyours。"
　　InstantlyLinkwasfullofgladinterest。IthadbeenasorrowtohimthatDorcasdidnotlikedogs。Shehadexplainedherdislike——purelyongeneralprinciples——earlyintheiracquaintance，andhadtoldhimofitsorigin。LinkwascertainshewouldcometoloveChum，onintimateacquaintance。IntheinterimhedidnotseektoforceherlikingbybringingthecollietotheChathamhousewhenhecalled。
　　Linkdidnotbelieveincrossingabridgeuntilhecametoit。
　　TherewouldbeplentyoftimeforDorcastomakefriendswithChuminthelongandhappydaystocome。Yet，now，herejoicedthatsheherselfshouldhavebeenthefirsttobroachthesubject。
　　"FathersaysJohniswildaboutChum，"wentonthegirlunconcernedly；adding，"Bytheway，Johnaskedfathertotellyouhe’dbegladtopayyou$100forthedog。It’sasplendidoffer，isn’tit!Thinkofallthethingswecangetforthehousewith$100，Link!Why，itseemsalmostprovidential，doesn’tit？FathersaysJohnisinearnestaboutittoo。He——"
　　"Inearnest，hey!"snappedFerris，findinghisvoiceafteraninstantofutteramazement。"InEARNEST!Well，that’srealgrandofhim，ain’tit!I’dbeinearnest，too，ifIwastobidtencentsforthebestfarminPassaicCounty。Butthefellerwhoownedthefarmwouldn’tbeinearnest。He’dbetakingitasafinejoke。LikeIdo，whenJohnnyIgleharthasthenervetooffer$100foradogthatwouldn’tbeworthacentless’n$600——evenifhewasforsale。Why，thatcollieofmine——"
　　"Ifheisworth$600，"suggestedDorcasicily，"you’dbetternotloseanytimebeforeyoufindsomeonewhowillpaythatforhim。
　　He’snousetous。And$600istoomuchmoneytocarryonfourlegs。He——"
　　"Nousetous？"echoedLink。"Why，Chum’sworththepayofahiredmantome，besidesallthefondnessI’vegotforhim!Hehandlesthesheep，andhe——"
　　"Soyou’vetoldme，"interposedDorcaswithnoshowofinterest。
　　"Irememberthefirstfewtimesyoucametoseemeyoudidn’ttalkofanythingelse，hardly，exceptthatdog。Everybodysaysthesamething。It’sajokeallthroughHampton，thesillywayyou’reforeversinginghispraises。"
　　"Whyshouldn’tI？"demandedLinksturdily。"There’snotadandier，betterpalanywhere，thanwhatChum’sbeentome。He——"
　　"Yes，yes，"assentedDorcas，"Iknow。Idon’tdoubtit。But，afterall，he’sonlyadog，youknow。Andifyoucangetagoodpriceforhim，asyousay，thentheonlythingtodoistosellhim。Inhardtimeslikethese——"
　　"Timesain’thard，"deniedLinktersely。"AndChumain’tforsale。That’sallthereistoit。"
　　Ifoneofherfather’ssleekcarthorseshadsuddenlywalkedoutofitsstallwithashouteddemandthatitbeallowedtodothedriving，henceforth，andthatitsownersdothehauling，DorcasChathamcouldnothavebeenmuchmoresurprisedthanatthisunlooked—forspeechfromherhumblesuitor。
　　Uptonow，LinkFerrishadtreatedthegirlasthoughhewereunworthytobreathethesameairasherself。Hehadbeenpatheticallyeagertoconcedeanyandeverymootedpointtoher，withaservileabasementwhichhadrousedhercontempt，evenwhileithadgratifiedhersenseofpower。
　　ShehadapproachedwithtactthesubjectofChum’sdisposal。ButshehaddonesowithaviewtothesavingofLink’sfeelings，notwiththefaintestideathatherlove—bemusedslavecouldventuretoopposeher。Sheknewhisfondnessforthedogandshehadnotwishedtobringmatterstoanissue，iftactwouldserveaswell。
　　Topunishherserfandtocrushrebelliononceandforall，aswellastobeavengedforherwasteddiplomacy，Dorcascastasideherkindlierintentanddrovestraighttothepoint。Hercalmtemperwasruffled，andshespokewithanewheat：
　　"ThereissomethingyouandImayaswellsettle，hereandnow，Link，"shesaid。"Itwillsavebickeringsandmisunderstandings，lateron。I’vetoldyouhowIhatedogs。Theyaresavageandtreacherousand——"
　　"Chumain’t!"declaredLinkstoutly。
　　"Why，thatdog——"
　　"Ihatedogs，"shewenton，"andI’mhorriblyafraidofthem。I
　　won’tliveinthesamehousewithone。Idon’twanttohurtyourfeelings，Link，butyou’llhavetogetridofthatgreatbrownbrutebeforeyoumarryme。Thatispositive。Sopleaselet’ssaynomoreaboutit。"
　　Themanwasstaringatherwithunderjawajar。Hersharpairoffinalitygratedonhiseverynerve。HerultimatumconcerningChumlefthimdumfounded。Butheforcedhimselftorallytothedefense。
　　Thisglorioussweetheartofhisdidnotunderstanddogs。Hehadhopedtoteachherlatertolikeandappreciatethem。ButapparentlyshemustbetaughtatoncethatChumcouldnotbesoldandthatthecolliemustremainanhonoredmemberoftheFerrishousehold。Marshalinghisfactsandhiswords，hesaid：
　　"InevertoldyouaboutthetimeIwascomingbackhomeonenightfromthetavernhereatHampton，afterI’djustcashedmypaycheckfromthePat’sonmarket。I’veneverblabbedmuchaboutit，becauseIwasdrunk。Yes，itwasbackinthemdays。JustafterI’dgotChum。Acoupleoffellershadgotmedrunk。Andtheysetonmeinalonesomepatchoftheroadbythelake；andtheyhadmedownandwastakingthemoneyawayfromme，whenChumsailedintothemanddruvthemoff。Hehadfolleredme，withoutmeknowing。InthescrimmageIgottumbledheadfirstintothelake。
　　Iwastoodrunktogetout，andmyheadwasstuckinthemud，’wayunderwater。I’d’a’drownedifChumhadn’tofpulledmeoutwithhisteethintheshoulderofmycoat。Andthat’sthedogyou’rewantingmetosell？"
　　"Youaren’tlikelytoneedsuchhelpagain，Ihope，"counteredthegirlloftily，"nowthatyouhavestoppeddrinkingandmadeamanofyourself。SoChumwon’tbeneededfor——"
　　"Istoppeddrinking，"answeredLink，"becauseIgottoseeinghowmuchmoreofabeastIwasthanthefinecleandogthatwaslivingwithme。Hemademefeel’shamedofmyself。Andhewassuchgoodcomp’nyroundthehousethatIdidn’tgetlonesomeenoughtosneakdowntothetavernallthetime。Itwasn’tmethat’madeamanofmyself。’ItwasChummadeamanofme。Maybethatsoundsfoolishtoyou。But——"
　　"Itdoes，"saidDorcasserenely。"Veryfoolishindeed。Youdon’tseemtorealizethatadogisonlyananimal。Ifyoucangetanicehomeforthecollie——suchasJohnIglehartwillgivehim——"
　　"Iglehart!"ragedLink，momentarilylosingholdoverhimself。"Ifthatmangy，wall—eyedslobcomesslinkingroundmyfarmagain，makingfriendswithChum，I’llsickthedogontohim；andhavehimrunIglehartallthewaytohisownshack!He’s——!There!I
　　didn’tmeantocutlooselikethat!"hebrokeoffatDorcas’sshudderofdismay。"OnlyitrilesmesomethingterribletohavehimtryingtogetChumawayfromme。"
　　"Thereisnooccasiontogolosingyourtemperandshouting，"
　　reprovedthegirl。"Nothingistobegainedthatway。Besides，thatisn’tthepoint。Thepointisthis，sinceyouforcemetosayit：Youmustgetridofthatdog。Andyoumustdoitbeforeyoumarryme。Iwon’tsetfootinyourhouseuntilyourdogisgone——andgoneforgood。Iamsorrytospeakso，butithadtobesaid。"
　　Shepausedtogiveherslaveachancetowilt。ButLinkonlysat，blank—faced，staringather。Hismindwasinamuddle。Allhisnarrowworldwasupsidedown。Hecouldn’tmakehisbraingraspinfullthesituation。
　　AllhecouldvisualizefortheinstantwasashadowymentalimageofChum’sexpectantface；thetulipearsprickedforward，expectant；thejaws"laughing"；thedeepsetbrowneyesabrimwithgayaffectionanddeathlessloyaltyforthemanwhowasnowaskedtogetridofhim。Itdidn’tmakesense。HalfunderhisbreathLinkFerrisbegantotalk——orrathertoramble。
　　"Therewasoneofthebooksovertothelib’ry，"heheardhimselfmeanderingon，"withaqueerstoryinit。Igottoreadingitthrough，onenightlastwinter。Itwasaboutafellernamed’Fed’rigo。’Awopofsomekind，Iguess。Hegotsoharduphedidn’thaveanythingleftbutapetfalcon。Whateverafalconmaybe。Whateveritwas，itmust’abeengoodtoeat。Buthesetaheapofstorebyit。Himanditwaschums。SameasmeandChumare。Thenalongcomealadyhewasinlovewith。Andshestoppedtohishousefordinner。Therewasn’tanythinginthehousefitforhertoeat。Sohefedherthefalcon。Killedthepetthatwashischum，so’shecouldfeedthedamehewasstuckon。Ithought，whenIreadit，thatthatfellerwasmorekindsofaswinethanI’dhavetimetotellyou。Buthewasn’tanyworse’nI’dbeifI
　　wasto——"
　　"I’msorryyoucaresolittleforme，"intervenedDorcas，hervoiceverysweetandverycold，andherslendernosewhiteningalittleatthecornersofthenostrils。"Ofcourseifyoupreferamiserabledogtome，there’snothingmoretobesaid。I——"
　　"No!"almostyelledthemiserableman。"You’vegotmeallwrong，dearie。Honest，youhave。Can’tyouunderstand？Yourlittlefingermeansaheapmoretomethanev’rythingelsethereis——excepttherestofyou——"
　　"Andyourdog，"shesupplemented。
　　"No!"hedeniedfiercely。"Yougotnorighttosaythat!ButChum’sservedmefaithful。AndIcan’tkickhimoutlikehewasa——"
　　"Nowyouaregettingangryagain!"sheaccused，paleandfurious。
　　"Idon’tcaretobehowledat。Thecasestandslikethis：Youmustchoosewhethertogetridofthatdogortoloseme。Takeyourchoice。If——"
　　"Ireadinastorybookaboutafellerthathadathinglikethatputuptohim，"saidpoorLink，unabletobelieveshewasinearnest。"Hisgirlsaid：’Yougottachoosebetweenmeandtobacco。’Andhesaid：’I’llchoosetobacco。NotthatIvaluetobaccosoall—firedmuch，’hesays，’butbecauseagirl，who’dmakeamantakesuchachoice，ain’tworthgivinguptobaccofor。’Yousee，dearie，it’sthisway——"
　　"You’llhavethatdogoutofyourhouseandoutofyourpossession，insideoftwenty—fourhours，"shedecreed，thewhiteangerofagrave—eyedwomanmakinghercoldvoicevibrate，"oryouwilldropmyacquaintance。Thatisfinal。Andit’sdefinite。
　　Theengagementisover——untilIhearthatyourdogiskilledorgivenawayorsold。Goodnight!"
　　Shelefttheroominvindictivehaste。Sooverwhelminglyangrywasshethatsheclosedthedoorsoftlybehindher，insteadofslammingit。ThroughallhisswirlofmiseryLinkhadsenseenoughtonotethisfinalsymptomandwonderbitterlyatit。
　　Onhiswayoutofthehousehewashailedbyahighpitchedbabyvoicefromsomewhereabovehim。Olivehadcrawledoutofbed，andinherwhiteflannelpajamasshewasleaningovertheupperbalustrade。
　　"Link!"shecalleddowntothewretchedmanatthefrontdoor。
　　"WhenyouandDorcasgetsmarriedtogether，I’mcomin’tolivewivyou!ThenIcanplaywivChummieallIwantto!"
　　Linkboltedouttothestreetinthemidstofherannouncement。
　　And，sooccupiedwasheintryingtoswallowalumpinhisownthroat，hefailedtohearthesoundofstifledsobbingfrombehindalockeddoorsomewhereintheupperreachesofthehouse。
　　Asthenightworeon，thesleeplessgirlsoughttocomfortherselfinthethoughtthatLinkhadnotdefinitelyrefusedherterms。Anight’sreflectionandanattitudeofunbendingaloofnessonherownpartmightwellbringhimtoasurrender。
　　PerhapsitwassomethinginLinkFerris’sdejectedgait，asheturnedintohisownlanethatnight，perhapsitwastheinstinctwhichtellsacolliewhenalovedhumanisunhappy——butChumwasatonceawareofhismaster’swoe。Thedog，atfirstsoundofLink’sapproachingsteps，boundedfromhisvigilplaceontheporchandfriskedjoyouslythroughthedarknesstomeethim。Hesentforthatrumpetingbarkofwelcomeasheran。
　　Then——fiftyfeetfromtheoncomingman——thebigcolliehaltedandstoodforaninstantwithearscockedandeyestroubled。Afterwhichheresumedhisadvance；butatasolemntrotandwithdowncastmien。AshereachedLink，thecolliewhinedsoftlyunderhisbreath，gazingwistfullyupintoFerris’sfaceandthenthrustinghiscoldnoselovinglyintooneoftheman’sloose—
　　hanginghands。
　　Linkhadwincedvisiblyatsoundofthejubilantlywelcomingbark。Now，notingthesuddenchangeinthecollie’sdemeanor，hestoopedandcaughtthesilkenheadbetweenhishands。Thegesturewasrough，almostpainful。YetChumknewitwasacaress。Andhisdroopingplumeofatailbegantowaginresponse。
　　"Oh，CHUM!"exclaimedthemanwithsomethingakintoagroan。
　　"Youknowallaboutit，don’tyou，oldfriend？YouknowI’mthemiser’blestmaninNorthJersey。Youknowitwithoutmehavingtosayaword。Andyou’redoingyourlevelbesttocomfortme。Justlikeyoualwaysdo。Younevergetcranky；andyouneversayI
　　gottachoosebetwixtthisandthat；andyounevergetsoreatme。
　　You’rejustmychum。Andyou’refoolenoughtothinkI’mallright。YetshesaysIgottagetridofyou!"
　　Thedogpressedclosertohim，stillwhiningsoftlyandlickingtheroughlycaressinghands。
　　"What’mIgoingtodo，Chummie？"demandedLinkbrokenly。"What’mIgoingtodoaboutit？Is’poseanyotherfeller’dcallmeafool——likeshethinksIamandtellmetosellyou。Ifyouwassomedogs，that’dbeallright。ButnotwithYOU，Chum。Notwithyou。You’dmopeandgrieveforme，andyou’dbewond’ringwhyI’ddesertedyouafteralltheseyears。Andyou’dgettopiningandmaybegosick。Andthefellerthatboughtyouwouldn’tunderstand。Andmostlikelyhe’dwhaleyoufornotbeingmorechipper—like。Andyouhaven’teverbeenhit。I’d——I’dablame’
　　sightsoonershootyou，thantoletanyoneelsehaveyou，toabuseyouandletyoubeunhappyforme，Chum。Ablame’sightrather。"
　　Sidebysidetheymovedonintothedarkenedhouse。There，withthedogcurledathisfeet，LinkFerrislaybroadawakeuntilsunrise。
　　EarlythenextafternoonDorcasdecidedshestoodinneedofbrisk，outdoorexercise。Olivecamerunningdownthepathafterher，eagerlydemandingtobetakenalong。Dorcaswithmuchsternnessbadehergoback。Shewantedtobealone，unless——Butsherefusedtoadmittoherselfthattherewasany"unless。"
　　Olive，grievouslydisappointed，stoodonthesteps，watchingherbigsistersetoffuptheroad。ShesawDorcastaketherighthandturnatthefork。Thebaby’sfacecleared。NowsheknewinwhichdirectionDorcaswasgoing。ThatforkledtotheGlen。AndtheGlenwasafavoriteSundayafternoonrambleforLinkandChum。
　　Oliveknewthat，becausesheandDorcasmorethanoncehadwalkedthithertomeetthem。
　　Olivewaspleasantlyforgetfulofherparents’positivecommandthatsherefrainfromwalkingaloneonthemotor—infestedSundayroads。Shesetoffatafastjogtrotoverthenearbyhill，onwhoseothersiderantheGlenroad。
　　LinkFerris，withChumathisheels，wastrampingmoodilytowardtheGlen。Asheturnedintotheroadhepausedinhissullenwalk。There，strollingunconcernedly，someyardsinfrontofhim，wasatallgirlinwhite。Herbackwastowardhim。Yethewouldhaverecognizedheratahundredtimesthedistance。Chumknewher，too，forhewaggedhistailandstartedatafastertrottoovertakeher。
　　"Back!"calledLink。
　　Purposelyhespokeaslowaspossible。Butthedogheardandobeyed。Thegirl，too，startedalittle，andmadeasiftoturn。
　　Justthenensuedawildcracklinginthethickroadsidebusheswhichlinedthehillsidefromhighwaytocrest。Andawhite—cladlittlebunchofhumanitycamegallopingjubilantlyoutintotheroad，midwaybetweenDorcasandLink。
　　AttheroadedgeOlive’sstubbytoecaughtinanooseofblackberryvine。Astheyoungsterwasrunningfulltilt，herownimpetussentherrollingoverandoverintothecenterofthedustyturnpike。
　　Beforeshecouldgettoherfeetorevenstoprolling，atouringcarcameroundthebend，tenyardsaway——acarthatwastravelingataspeedofsomethinglikeforty—fivemilesanhour，andwhosefouroccupantsweresingingatthetopoftheirlungs。
　　LinkFerrishadscarcetimetotensehismusclesforafutilespring——Dorcas’sscreamofhelplessterrorwasstillunborn——whenthecarwasupontheprostratechild。
　　Andinthesamefractionofasecondafurrycatapultlauncheditselfacrossthewideroadataspeedthatmadeitlookliketawnyblur。
　　Chum’smadleapcarriedhimtothebabyjustasthecar’sfenderhungaboveher。Aslashinggripofhisteethintheshoulderofherwhitedressandalightningheaveofhismightyneckandshoulders——andthelittleformwashurtlingthroughtheairandintotheweed—filledwaysideditch。
　　InpracticallythesameinstantChum’sbodywhizzedintotheairagain。Butthistimebynoimpetusofitsown。Thehigh—poweredcar’sfenderhadstruckitfair，andhadtosseditintotheditchasthoughthedoghadbeenaheapofrags。
　　There——huddledandlifeless——sprawledthebeautifulcollie。Thecarputonanextraspurtofspeedanddisappearedroundthenextturn。
　　OlivewasonherfeetbeforeDorcas’sflyingstepscouldreachher。Unhurtbutvastlyindignant，thebabyopenedhermouthtomakewayforaseriesofhowls。Then，hereyefallingontheinertdog，sheranovertoChumandbegantocryouttohimtocometolifeagain。
　　"Nouseofthat，kid!"interposedLink，kneelingbesidethecolliehelovedandsmoothingthesoiledandrumpledfur。"It’seasiertodropoutoflifethanwhatitistocomebacktoitagain。Well，"hewentonharshly，turningtotheweepingDorcas，"thequestionhasanswereditself，yousee。Noneednowtotellmetogetridofhim。He’ssavedmethebother。Likehewasalwayssavingmebother。ThatbeingChum’sway。"
　　Somethinginhisthroatimpededhisfiercespeech。Andhebentoverthedogagain，hisroughhandssmoothingthepitifullystillbodywithlovingtenderness。Dorcas，weepinghysterically，fellonherkneesbesideChumandputherarmsaboutthehuddledshape。Sheseemedtobetryingtosaysomething，herlipsclosetooneofthefurrylittleears。
　　"Nouse!"brokeinFerris，hisvoiceasgratingasafile’s。"Hecan’thearyounow。Nogoodtotellhimyouhatedogs；orthatyou’regladyou’vesawthelastofhim。Evenifhewasalive，hewouldn’tunderstandthat。He’dneverbeenspoketothatway。"
　　"Don’t!Oh，don’t!"sobbedthegirl。"Oh，I’mso——"
　　"Ifyou’recryingforChum，"wentonthegratingvoice，"there’snoneedto。Hewasonlyjustadog。Hedidn’tknowanybetterbuttogethislifesmashedout’nhim，sosomebodyelsecouldgoonliving。Allheaskedwastobewithmeandworkformeandloveme。Afteryousaidhecouldn’tkeepondoingthat，thereain’tanygoodinyourcryingforhim。Itmustbenice——ifyou’llonlystopcryinglongenoughtothinkofit——toknowhe’soutofyourway。AndI’Moutofittoo!"hewentoninagustoffury。
　　"S’poseyoutwojusttoddleon，now，andleavemetotakehimhome。Igottherighttothat，anyhow。"
　　Hestoopedtopickupthedog；andhewinkedwithmuchrapiditytoholdbackanannoyingmistwhichcamebetweenhimandChum。
　　Hismouthcorners，too，weretwitchinginawaythatshamedhim。
　　Hehadababyishyearningtoburyhisfaceinhisdeadfriend’sfur，andcry。
　　"DON’T!"Dorcaswaswailing。"Oh，youcan’tpunishmeanyworsethanI’m——"
　　Hersob—brokenvoicescaledhighandswelledoutintoacryofstarkastonishment。SlowlyChumwasliftinghissplendidheadandblinkingstupidlyabouthim!
　　Thefenderhadsmittenthecolliejustbelowtheshoulder，inamassoffur—armoredmuscles。Infallingintothewaysideditchhisskullhadcomeintosharpcontactwitharock。Knockedsenselessbytheconcussion，hehadlainasdead，forthebestpartoffiveminutes。Afterwhichhehadcomeslowlytohissenses——bewildered，bruisedandsore，butotherwisenoworsefortheaccident。
　　Hecametohimselftofindaweepingwomanclutchinghimstranglinglyroundtheneck，whileshetriedtokisshisdust—smearedhead。
　　Chumdidnotcareatallforthistreatment，especiallyfromacomparativestranger。Buthesawhisadoredmasterlookingsoidioticallyhappy——overthatorsomethingelse——thatthedogforboretoprotest。
　　"Ifyoureallywantedhimputoutofthewaysobad——"beganLink，whenhecouldtrusthimselftospeak。
　　Hegotnofurther。DorcasChathamturnedonhimingenuinesavageness。Thebigeyeswerenolongergraveandpatronizing。
　　Theairofaloofnesshadfallenfromthegirllikeadiscardedgarment。
　　"Link!"sheblazed。"LinkFerris!Ifyoueverdarespeakaboutgettingridof——ofMYdog，——I’ll——I’llneverspeaktoyouagain，aslongas——aslongaswe’remarried!"