He seized the stick from Penny's hand and used it to beat off the dog. Rudy showed very little fight. When he felt the sting of the switch he ran off whining toward the barn.
Penny picked herself up and dusted off her linen dress.
"Thank you, Michael," she said soberly.
"It wasn't anything," the young man replied. "The dog is mostly bluff."
"He bluffs too realistically to suit me," Penny returned ruefully.
"You're not hurt?"
"No, the dog knocked me over but his teeth missed me. I'm glad you happened to be here at the right time, Michael."
"So am I."
The young man glanced quickly at Penny and then looked away. He seemed to realize that she was expecting him to offer an explanation for his presence at the Crocker place.
The thought had occurred to Penny, but in view of the service which Michael had rendered, she decided not to question him. Instead she graciously introduced the young man to Susan.