Dash had spent the day close at Philip’s heels, and as the evening approached he seemed to feel that something unusual was to occur; and when at last the party assembled in the hall, ready to start for the concert, the little creature’s excitement increased, and he went from one to the other, begging so earnestly to be taken along that Philip at last said laughingly:
“I believe that Dash thinks I am going away on another journey, for he whines precisely as he did when we started for Italy three years ago. Be a good dog! Down, Dash! You know you cannot go, and, after all, I will soon be back, you foolish dog!”
But Dash only barked and fidgeted the more, and at last when they were all in the carriage, he broke away from the servant who was trying to hold him in the hall, and springing into the coach attempted to creep under the seat. Philip, however, was too quick for him, and dragging him forth again carried him back into the house. As they drove down the street they could hear him howling dismally, and Dr. Norton remarked laughingly:
“It is fortunate we don’t believe in signs, Philip, or Dash’s howling would certainly be looked upon as a bad omen.”
They remembered this afterwards, and also that Philip replied in his clear, sweet voice:
“Dash is a very wise dog, Uncle Frank, and perhaps he had his own reasons for whining as he did.”
Philip was very quiet during the drive to the concert-hall, which was quite a long one, and indeed none of the party felt much inclined toward conversation until Marion said at last:
“Dear me, how solemn and stupid we all are. One would think we were going to a funeral. I wish it were all over,” she added. “We shall be so conspicuous, and I hate crowds.”
“Marion!” said her mother reprovingly. And glancing at Philip she was glad to notice that he had not apparently heeded his cousin’s remark.
“I must have a serious talk with Marion,” said Mrs. Norton to herself. “She seems to have grown quite thoughtless of the feelings of others of late, and I am afraid she has wounded Philip several times since her return. What can have come over her, I wonder?”