Master opened the door, and there stood Mr. Bonstone and Gringo.
They both came toward me, and Mr. Bonstone fondled my head. “Fine Boy,” he said, “you did some good foot-work.”
Then he began talking to master who was brushing his hair vigorously with his military brushes. The two men were like brothers.
Gringo came close to my chair.
“Hello, old boy,” I said, then we stared at each other.
There was a most beautiful expression in his dark eyes. “Gringo,” I said in a low voice, “you missed me.”
“I’ve not had a minute’s peace since you left,” he said. “I’ve suffered more than you did.”
“Forget it,” I returned hastily.
“I can’t,” he said. “I was a brute. The morning after you disappeared, I went over to Greenlands and got Reddy O’Mare. ‘Make yourself at home,’ I said, and he’s been over to our place every day since, and I don’t boss the youngsters so much. I have to a bit, seems as if it’s in my blood.”
“You’re a great old dog,” I said admiringly, “but don’t think of the past. We’re going to have lots of good times in the future.”