Joe felt a vague suspicion that Ann might be right; but it was a very vague suspicion, just enough to make him feel uneasy and put him on the defensive. Being obstinate and something of a crank, this only added heat to his irritation. “I ain’t got no use fer any dawg that don’t know enough to take to a kid on sight!” he declared, readjusting the little red cap on the child’s curls.
“HE CURLED DOWN HIS ABBREVIATED TAIL, AND RAN.”
“Of course, father,” acquiesced Ann discreetly; “but you’ll find Sonny’ll be all right.”
Here the child, who had been squirming with impatience, piped up, “I want to go an’ see my doggie in his little house!” he declared.
“Oh, no, Kid, we’re goin’ to let Sonny be fer a bit. We’re goin’ to see the calf, the pretty black an’ white calf, round back o’ the barn, now. You go along with Aunty Ann while I onhitch old Bill. An’ then we’ll all go an’ see the little pigs.”
His mind altogether diverted by the suggestion of such strange delights, the little fellow trotted off joyously with Ann, while Joe Barnes led the old sorrel to the barn, grumbling to himself at what he chose to call Sonny’s “ugliness” in not making friends with the Kid.