“Something is wrong, Virginia. He says, ’I need you.’ 51 What’s the matter with Jim, Pilot? Come here and get up in the chair!”
The dog whimpered and sat still.
“Come out here, then! Come on, I tell you!” Asher started as if to open the door, but the dog did not move.
“He’s not out of doors, and he isn’t sitting up in a chair. Tell me, now, Pilot, exactly where Jim is! Jim, mind you!”
The dog looked at him with watchful eyes.
“Where’s Jim? Poor Jim!” Asher repeated, and Pilot, with a sorrowful yelp, stretched himself at full length beside the stove.
“Jim’s sick, then?”
Pilot wagged his tail understandingly.
“Virgie, Jim needs me. I must go to him.” Asher looked at his wife.
“If Jim needs you, you’ll need me,” she replied.