There was no occasion for alarm, however, for Kis-Smee turned out to be one of the mildest and best-behaved of dogs.
He made great friends with the Wallypug at once, and clumsily gamboled, or, as his Majesty explained it, “flumped,” about him in the most friendly manner.
“He doesn’t take to strangers as a rule,” said Ho-Lor, “but he certainly seems to have taken a fancy to you.”
“He is a beautiful creature,” said his Majesty, politely patting the huge animal a little nervously.
“Oh! I don’t know about that,” remarked Ho-Lor, looking very pleased nevertheless. “He is of a very rare breed, though.”
“What kind of dog do you call him?” I inquired.
“He’s a smirkler dog,” replied Ho-Lor proudly.
“A what?” I exclaimed.
“A smirkler. He smirkles for mivlets you know,” was the reply.