"I beat you by a year," was the shy retort of the other boy. "I am sixteen."
Then Nancy interrupted them with her breezy comment.
"Fifteen, are you?" she put in. "My, I should not have thought it! You must be pretty crazy about dogs to give up all your summer vacation to them."
"My mother needs the money," was the simple answer.
"Oh!"
He saw her blush as if regretting her thoughtless remark.
"It is nice of you to help your mother," she observed quickly. "I am sure you will not find the place so bad. We shall try to make you happy."
With that she was gone but she left behind her a memory of sweetness and appealing kindliness.
"You might run out to the garage now, sonny," declared Jerry with a desire to help the lad make his escape. "They will be landing the pups there soon, and you may as well be on hand."
Only too glad to beat a retreat His Highness picked up his cap and slipping from the room raced across the lawn in the direction of his own quarters.