Some time in the afternoon they reached the ranch. Smiles was there and so were the other men and they gave Ted a great welcome.
So did Wolf, who had grown wonderfully, 105 and who, while he did not look like any particular kind of dog, showed himself to have an individuality, all his own. He sprang at Ted and barked his delight. It made Ted feel good to have the dog remember him. It was queer to see how the dog tried to pay attention to both Red and Ted, and it made the men laugh at his double devotion.
Ted hurried to the house where Mrs. Dean was waiting for him. She showed how glad she was to see him.
“Mr. Dean will be back a little later. He has been very busy.”
Ted thought he would wait with his news until later and merely mentioned some of the things that had happened.
“Ted, dear,” said Mrs. Dean, “I want to tell you that we are going to have a little stranger in this house, soon.” Then Ted knew why he had hesitated about blurting out his news—there was an even bigger event to happen.
“I’m so glad,” said he.
He stayed a little while only, as Mrs. Dean did not seem strong.
He saw Dean when he came home. To 106 both of his friends he told his news, what had been done, he showed Sir Robert’s letter and then spoke of his plan for his mother and sister.
“How wonderful,” said Mrs. Dean, while John Dean looked tenderly at her.