"Would Alexis do that?" asked Vi.
"No, I don't believe Alexis would hurt the doll," said Aunt Jo. "Here, we will try him. Come to me, Alexis!" she called.
The dog managed to get away from Mun Bun and Margy, who were trying to see who could hug him the hardest, and he stood near his mistress.
"Do you see this doll, Alexis?" went on Aunt Jo, holding Sue out for him to see. "Look at her!"
"Bow-wow!" barked Alexis, and that meant: "Yes, I see her, what about it?"
"You must be very nice to her, and not chew her nor carry her off and put her in some hiding-place, as you do your bones," went on Aunt Jo. Alexis waved his big tail, sniffed at Rose's doll, and then barked again.
"He will never hurt your toy, Rose," said Aunt Jo. "You may safely leave her anywhere in the house."
"She's my best doll, and she's been lost in the woods and had lots of adventures," Rose said. "But I wouldn't like a dog to carry her off—'specially not such a big dog."
"Well, don't worry about Alexis," said Aunt Jo. "He won't hurt your Sue."
The visitors were shown to their different rooms, and their baggage was carried up so the children could change their clothes.