Gift looked up at his master as if for a word of instruction. He received no word or sign in reply. Then Gift made a slight move as if to follow Beth, but suddenly turned and licked his master's hand. Next, he settled down on the porch for a sleep as if the matter were settled once and forever.
Beth now expected to see Mr. Brown show some emotion, but he simply called, "Missy, come back."
She would have thought that she had overestimated his feelings in the matter if she had not caught sight of tears in his eyes when she returned.
"Gift is the best friend I have," he said quietly when Beth was reseated. "Do you know he helps keep me from saloons. If he is with me and I start in one, he growls. Now, what favor do you want to ask of me?"
She had almost forgotten the object of her visit, and the abruptness with which it was recalled to her embarrassed her.
"I—I want to pay you for Duke. I have some money of my own in the bank and I think——"
"But I gave Duke to you." He looked grieved. "I accepted Gift from you, I don't see——"
"You don't understand. Do you remember what you said when you gave me Duke? You said if I ever left Florida I'd have to give him back to you."
"That was before I had Gift."
"And you wouldn't take Duke from me?" She sprang to her feet.