He gave Zoe a hasty kiss upon either cheek.
“You have not altered, Zoe, my dear. I did not expect you to-day, but I am very glad to see you both again.”
Riquet could not understand why his master gave so warm a welcome to strange folk. Had he violently driven them forth, he could have understood. However, he was used to not understanding all the ways of men. Suffering Monsieur Bergeret to do as he would, he continued to perform his duty, barking furiously to scare the evil-doers. Then, from the depths of his throat, he drew growls of hatred and anger; and a frightful contraction of his lips uncovered his white teeth. Backing away from his enemies, he hurled threats at them.
“Is that your dog, papa?”
“You were to have come on Saturday,” remarked Monsieur Bergeret.
“Didn’t you get my letter?” inquired Zoe.
“Yes,” replied Monsieur Bergeret.
“No, I mean the other one.”
“I received only one.”
“One cannot hear oneself speak here!”