"I suppose that it must be a relief when one has travelled so much," replied Mrs. Goddard.
"Or suffered very much," added the squire, half unconsciously, looking at her sad face.
"Yes," she answered. At that moment the door opened and Nellie entered the room, having successfully grappled with the inkstains. She went straight to the squire, and held out her hand, blushing a little, but looking very pretty. Then she saw the huge head of Stamboul who looked up at her with a ferociously agreeable canine smile, and thwacked the carpet with his tail as he sat; Nellie started back.
"Oh, what a dog!" she exclaimed. But very soon she was on excellent terms with him; little Nellie was not timid, and Stamboul, who liked people who were not afraid of him and was especially fond of children, did his best to be amusing.
"He is a very good dog," remarked Mr. Juxon. "He once did me a very good service."
"How was that?"
"I was riding in the Belgrade forest one summer. I was alone with Stamboul following. A couple of ruffians tried to rob me. Stamboul caught one of them."
"Did he hurt him very much?"
"I don't know—he killed him before the fellow could scream, and I shot the other," replied the squire calmly.
"What a horrible story!" exclaimed Mrs. Goddard, turning pale. "Come here, Nellie—don't touch that dreadful dog!"