“Come here, boy!” commanded the man.
Tom Jonah did not move. Ruth took a hand of each of the smaller girls and led them away from the big dog.
“Come, children,” she said. “We’ll go on. If Tom Jonah really loves us, he’ll come, too.”
The dog whined. He looked from the red-faced, angry man to the four girls who loved him so well.
“Come here, Tom Jonah!” commanded the man again. He had turned his horse and was evidently headed for home. “Come, sir!”
The Corner House girls were moving sadly away. Agnes glanced back and actually made a face at the man in the runabout. Fortunately he did not see it.
“Come on, Tom Jonah!” said the man for the third time.
The dog was perplexed. He showed it plainly. He started after the man; he started back for the girls. He whined and he barked. He was torn by the conflicting emotions in his doggish soul.
“What’s the matter with him?” exclaimed the man, and snapped his whiplash at Tom Jonah.
At that, Dot uttered a shriek of anguish. Tess burst into tears. Agnes started back as though to protect the dog. Even Ruth could not forbear to utter a cry.