“Oh, what a beauty! I have always loved a big dog!” exclaimed Nora. “What’s his name?”
“Captain,” replied the proud master. “Here Cap, come shake hands with Nora.”
The dog cocked one ear up inquisitively, looked over the small girl with majestic indifference, walked around her twice and finally flung his bushy tail out with a swish that fanned Nora’s cheek as she bent over to make friends.
“Isn’t he lovely! Just like the picture in my first story book; the big dog that dragged the lost man out of the snow drifts,” said Nora, almost breathless with delight.
“He is exactly that sort,” explained Jerry. “He came from the other side and was a Captain in the big war.”
“Oh,” sighed Nora wistfully. “He must know an awful lot.”
“He surely does, eh, old boy?” and the big shaggy head was patted affectionately.
Meanwhile Vita, the Italian woman who held the office of housekeeper, was depositing a mess of freshly-picked dandelions in a pan on the kitchen table. She smiled pleasantly at the little stranger, and at a single glance Nora knew she and Vita were sure to be friends.
“Now, you know us all,” announced the hostess. “Vita and Captain complete the circle.”
“Not counting the crow, and the rabbits and the cat and the——”