"Thor!" Standing's voice rang out, filled with warning. Thor began whining.
Lynette put her hand upon the big head. Thor trembled. Suddenly he lay flat, belly down; the head between the outstretched fore paws. He whined again. Standing laughed and began bridling and saddling his horse. Thor jumped up and frisked about his master; Standing fondled him, as he had fondled Daylight, by striking him resoundingly.
"To play safe," he flung over his shoulder at Lynette, "better come here."
When she had drawn close Standing stooped and patted the dog's head. Then, while Thor, snarling, looked on, he put out his hand and placed it for a fleeting instant upon Lynette's shoulder.
"Good dog," he said quietly.
Then he caught up her hand and placed it on Thor's head, cupped under his own.
"Good dog," he said again. And then he told Lynette to call the dog. She did so, saying in an uncertain voice:
"Here, Thor!... Come here, Thor!"
"Thor!" cried Standing commandingly. "Good dog!"
Thor trembled, but he went to her. He allowed her to pat him. Then, with a suddenness which startled her, he shot out a red tongue to lick her hand. Standing burst into sudden pleased laughter.