"How did it happen?" asked Rick's father, and the boy told him, meanwhile picking up the chestnuts that had fallen from his pockets as he toppled from the tree.
"It's a good thing I had Ruddy with me," said Rick, "or maybe I'd have been here a long while."
"Yes," agreed Mr. Dalton. "But if you hadn't come home by dark I would have come after you, and if I had had Ruddy with me I think he soon would have picked up your trail, and he would have led me to you; wouldn't you, Ruddy old boy?"
The dog barked in delight as he heard this talk, for he knew he was being praised, and a dog, or nearly any other animal, likes kindness as much as we ourselves do. And let me tell you this, your dog can tell, just by the sound of your voice, whether you are speaking kindly or are cross with him. Just try it. In harsh, angry tones say to him:
"You are a bad dog!"
See how his tail will drop between his legs, and how he will slink away—that is if he is a natural dog and has not been spoiled. Then say those same words in the kindest, most gentle voice you can, and see how your dog will brighten up, and wag his tail.
So you see it isn't the words so much as it is how you say them, though I do believe that some dogs know certain words, no matter how they are spoken.
Anyhow Ruddy understood that his master and the father were pleased with him, and he capered about, barking and trying to reach up to lick Rick's face again.
"We must hurry back home," said Mr. Dalton. "Your mother will be worried about you, Rick!"
And Mrs. Dalton was so worried that, half way home, father and son met her coming along to see what had happened to her boy.