"Oh, no one is likely to ask you," Celia said, with a sigh of relief. "I'm so glad you've come, Lulu. I've been so dreadfully dull these last few days."
"I dare say. It's such lovely weather, to be kept indoors. How long has Sir Jasper had this puppy—Wag, didn't you call it?"
"Yes, Wag," Joy responded, joining in the conversation for the first time, her face brightening; "such a jolly little dog he is! An old sporting friend of Uncle Jasper's sent the puppy as a present about a fortnight ago. Uncle Jasper didn't want the dog, but he didn't like to send him back, so Wag lives in the stable with the horses; he isn't allowed in the house."
"I should like to see him—the pup, I mean," said Lulu. "Can't we take him for a run in the garden, before tea?"
"Oh, yes!" Joy cried. She glanced hesitatingly at her sister, and added: "I don't suppose we shall be away long."
"Oh, don't mind me," Celia replied trying to speak carelessly, but rather hurt at Lulu's hurry to leave her. "You'll find me in the dining-room when you come back, for mother is going to help me downstairs to tea."
So Lulu and Joy went off together. They fetched the puppy from the stable, and bore him away to the rock garden. Lulu was fond of animals, and she forgot her fine dress as she played with Wag, laughing merrily at his funny ways. At length when both children and dog were tired, they rested on the seat beneath the arbour, where Celia had sat reading "Lady Isabella's Treachery," and began to talk.
"What a dear little fellow he is!" Lulu exclaimed, referring to the puppy, who lay comfortably on her lap. "Aren't you glad Sir Jasper kept him?"
"Oh, yes! Celia doesn't like dogs, and Wag has found that out somehow, for he generally keeps out of her way."
"I should have liked to have seen her chasing him the other evening," Lulu cried with a laugh. "I'll be bound to say she was in a fine rage with him. Cannot you picture the scene? It ended unfortunately for her, however. Poor Celia!"