"No, the balance was, if anything, in your favour. I'm very certain that he will be happier with you. T-take him!"
The girl buried her pretty face in the puppy's coat as though it had been a fluffy muff.
"What a pity," she said, in a muffled voice, "that he is compelled to make a choice. It will break his heart; I know it will. He is too young."
"He'll very soon forget me, once he is alone with you in your bungalow."
The girl shook her head and stood caressing the puppy. The soft, white hand, resting on the dog's head, fascinated Gray.
"Perhaps," he ventured, "I had better walk as far as your bungalow with you.... It may spare the dog a certain amount of superficial anguish."
She nodded, dreamy-eyed there in the sunshine. And of what she might be thinking he could form no idea.[176]
