THE RED HOUSE AND THE BIG PINE TREE!
And yes, oh yes, there was a light in the window! He had reached his journey’s end!
They were home! Ready suddenly felt very strong and happy, and not at all tired. He came softly up to the lighted window. There sat Master Dick’s father and mother.
The father was saying, “How’s the little fellow to-night?”
The mother answered, “He’s trying very hard to be brave, but he can’t forget little Ready. Do you know, he insists upon having the window nearest the bed always open? Poor little fellow, I fear that he cries himself to sleep after I leave the room.”
Ready didn’t wait to hear another word, but ran at once to that open window. In the dark room lay a little boy with wet eyes.
“I’m not being a soldier,” he was whispering to himself, “but I can’t help it. Oh, Ready, Ready, if I could just have you for a minute!”
Then there were three little barks, and a waggy tail was on Master Dick’s nose.
There was a cry of joy from a little boy and a bark of delight from a little dog.
Then a happy child’s voice was heard all over the house calling, “Mother, father, everybody, READY’S COME BACK!”