He turned his head away again for a moment, but he managed at last to meet his little daughter's eyes with a smile.
"Run along, sweet," he said.
"Can she stay to supper with us?" asked Suzanna.
"If your mother would like to have her," said the man. "And I'll come up later for her."
"All right," replied Suzanna.
Now came the hard moment for Peter, in the parting from his dog. He came reluctantly forward.
Graham, seeing Peter's distress when the animal had been delivered into David's care, said: "You can come up here often, Peter, and see the dog. I know it's awful hard giving him up."
Peter's heart was touched. Here at last was one who understood! Here at last was one who would not condemn a dog merely because he had an unnaturally big appetite; because he got around under people's feet and had no manners.
"You're a very nice boy," said Suzanna when they were parting, "and we wish you would come to see us."
Graham's face lit. "Oh, I will come. Do you live in that little cottage with the crooked chimney?"