“Me like m’lasses,” piped Jamie, who had managed to get the pup’s tail over his shoulder, and was hanging on to it with both hands. Vada shrieked as the pup began to yelp.
“Oh, look at Jamie,” she cried. “He’s pulling Dougal’s tail right out. You’re a naughty, naughty boy.”
“Not naughty,” protested Jamie, pulling harder.
Sunny reached down and released the mongrel, who promptly turned round and licked the boy’s face. Jamie fought him with his little clenched fists, and finally began to cry.
Again Sunny went to the rescue, and with some difficulty peace was restored. Then he went back to his subject.
“Guess we’ll hev to go to bed right now,” he suggested, with an air of authority.
“Momma ain’t back,” said Vada, her eyes round and wondering.
“She’ll be right along presently,” lied Sunny.
“’Ess,” declared Jamie, “an’––an’––we go find ’piders an’––an’ bugs.”
Vada nodded.