While they were talking, Chouse was standing near by, wagging his tail and looking very proud of himself.
"Chouse, you are the best dog in the whole wide world," said the happy little girl. "First you rescued my kittens and now you have saved the whole forest from burning. We couldn't possibly send Chouse away. Could we, Father?"
Her father didn't answer right away. Finally he said, "By the way, Greta, have you named the kittens yet?"
"No, I haven't. I've been trying to think of some very special sort of names, but I just can't think of any."
"Maybe Anna can help you find the right names," her father suggested.
"Of course she can. But I wonder when Anna is coming? I haven't heard from her yet."
"Why don't you run home and see if you got a letter this morning? I must stay here and watch this fire until old Peter comes."
"All right, Father."
It didn't take Greta long to get home. Even Chouse could hardly keep up with her. She hadn't been away from her kittens for this long a time since the day Chouse had rescued them. You would never know now that they had been almost drowned. Their fur was just as soft and fluffy as it had ever been.