“Tavia, you know poor Jake has always been kind to us, and I feel this is a shame.”
“Then I’ll write him an anonymous letter, and tell him his dog has gone home, and is much obliged for his attention, etc,” Tavia went on.
“You should have done it openly—told the lady where her dog was, and let her come and claim him——”
“And lose the five? Dorothy, you have no more business tact than a kitten. Now do let us change the subject. Be assured if I am hauled up for dog-kidnapping I’ll get out of it as gracefully as I got into it. Will you help me select Jake’s pipe? He’s quite particular I know, for he left his on the fence one night, and I heard—of course I cannot be sure of it—but I just heard, that he put a cross of red paint on the fence, to mark the spot where he found it.”
A knock at the door interrupted them. Dorothy opened the portal and faced one of the maids.
“Miss Dale,” she said timidly, “Jake’s outside, and wants to speak with you. He would not ask at the office, but got me to come in for him.”
“All right, Ellen, and thank you,” Dorothy said. “I’ll be out directly.”
“He’s on the west porch,” went on the maid. “Jake’s not himself since he lost that dog,” and with that remark echoing she went down the red carpeted halls.
“Now, Tavia,” demanded Dorothy, “I know it’s about the dog, and I feel I should tell him the truth.”
“You dare!” snapped Tavia. “Doro, let me tell him the truth,” she added, in a pleasanter tone.