Alan laughed as he replied:
"Don't be alarmed, you shall live in the cottage as long as you like.
Do you ever feel afraid when you are alone at night?"
"No; why should I? No one ever comes here, and there's Jack always on guard."
"Wonderful dog, Jack," said Alan smiling.
"He is. It's three years since you gave him to me. He is my constant companion."
"He's a well-bred dog anyway; these black retrievers are hard to beat."
"If anything happened to him I don't know what I'd do," she said.
"I do," he answered. "I'd give you another in his place."
"That wouldn't be the same at all," she said.
"You prefer old friends?"