"Of course he'll wiggle his tail. He always does when I talk to him."
"Then suppose I do the talkin'?"
"Oh, you can make him do just as you wish. But all right, Mr. Shoop.
And you will really let Bondsman decide?"
"'Tain't accordin' to rules, but seein' it's you—"
Bud called to the big Airedale. Bondsman trotted in, nosed Dorothy's hand, and looked up at his master.
"Come 'ere!" commanded Shoop brusquely. "Stand right there! Now, quit tryin' to guess what's goin' on and listen to the boss. Accordin' to your jedgment, which is plumb solid, do I put Lorry to work over on the line this summer?"
Bondsman cocked his ears, blinked, and a slight quiver began at his shoulders, which would undoubtedly accentuate to the affirmative when it reached his tail.
"Rats!" cried Dorothy.
The Airedale grew rigid, and his spike of a tail cocked up straight and stiff.
Bud Shoop waved his hands helplessly. "I might 'a' knowed it! A lady can always get a man steppin' on his own foot when he tries to walk around a argument with her. You done bribed me and corrupted Bondsman. But I'm stayin' right by what I said."