The dog came in with a bound, switching his bushy tail about and smiling up at his friends. Then after he had received their petting, he went as he always did, directly under the portrait of Lady Betty and, raising his head, barked three short, joyous barks.
"He always does that, Kit, always, just as if he knew her and had to greet her."
"I think it's the finest thing I've ever seen a dog do."
"I really believe he thinks she's alive, for he's done that ever since he was a tiny pup."
That afternoon Joy and Shirley came. "Hurry up and come back to school, it's frightfully lonely without you," exclaimed Shirley. "Half the life is gone from the class."
"For which the teachers consider themselves lucky."
"Maybe so," laughed Joy. "Oh dear, I've only been back for a few days and I've been in trouble twice."
"What did you do?" laughed Bet. "Tell me about it."
"It wasn't much. Miss Owens sent me to the board with half a dozen others and I was working the problem all right, but I forgot and began to twirl on my toes. Just a few innocent dance steps, you know it makes me think better."
"I was wondering how she ever kept still in school," said Kit, drawing the girl to her.