Jack too understood by the chief’s tone and by the expression of his face that he was no favorite with him, for dogs often feel the way people think of them even more than people do. “I shall take care to keep out of his way,” said Jack to himself, as he followed his friend Reordan about.
The firemen’s work was over at last, and Jack betook himself to the street by the way he had come, and by the time his company had reached the street there was Jack, standing by the horses’ heads ready to start. The men, wet and tired, jumped upon the engine, and they started for home, Jack trotting leisurely along the sidewalk, as was his custom after a fire. Now that the excitement of the fire was over, he was beginning to think how lonely it would be in the engine-house without his little companion Billy.
“Nobody there to hug me and say, ‘Glad to see you back, you brave old Jack! I wonder if you saved any little boy’s life to-day, Jack.’ No, I shall not hear those pleasant words any more. How lonesome it will be!”
With these thoughts in his mind, whom should he see coming towards him but his old friend the bull-dog Boxer? He was a white dog, and he usually looked very clean, for he was always bathed once a week. He had told Jack about it, for he didn’t enjoy the operation, they scrubbed him so hard and used carbolic soap, which was very disagreeable to him. They usually managed to let some of the suds get into his eyes, and it made them smart dreadfully. This bath always took place on Monday, after the maids were through washing, and Jack smiled to himself as he recalled how Boxer often managed to be out of the way when washing morning came around. This was Monday morning, and Jack said to himself, “I’d be willing to bet a good-sized bone that Boxer got around that bath to-day.”
It certainly looked as if he had, for Boxer’s white coat looked very dingy against the white snow. It looked rough, too, and there was an ugly gash over one of his eyes. “He’s been in a fight,” said Jack to himself. “I don’t doubt he’s been having a beautiful time.”
So soon as Boxer espied Jack coming towards him his whole appearance changed. His tail stood up straight and stiff, his hair rose in a ridge along his spine, and he walked on tiptoe as if he were treading on eggs and didn’t want to break them. His eyes grew fierce-looking and seemed to bulge more than ever, although he had naturally very full eyes. He licked his chops, too, and seemed to swell to twice his usual size. All the time he looked straight ahead as if he didn’t see Jack at all.
“Now this is too absurd, to keep up such a feeling,” said Jack to himself, for thinking about little Billy had put him in a very soft mood. So he stopped just as he was opposite his old friend.
“Hallo, Boxer!” he called in a pleasant voice.
Boxer, however, did not return the salutation, although he settled down to a walk and seemed to be shivering.