Catching him by the collar, she said: "Bobby! Bobby Burns! Stop that silly barking! Stop it at once! And leave poor little Simon Cameron alone! Aren't you ashamed ?" Now, Bobby was not in the least ashamed--except for his failure to reach his elusive prey.

But, like many highbred and highstrung collies, he did not fancy having his collar seized by a stranger.

He did not resent the act with snarls and a show of teeth, as in the case of the beach comber.

But he stiffened to offended dignity, and, with a sudden jerk, freed himself from the little detaining hand.
Then, loftily, he stalked across to Gavin and thrust his muzzle once more into the man's cupped palm.

As clearly as by a dictionary-ful of words, he had rebuked her familiarity and had shown to whom he felt he owed sole allegiance.
While the girl was still staring in rueful indignation at this snub from her dog, Brice found time and thought to stare with still greater intentness up the tree, at a bunch of bristling fur which occupied the first crotch and which glared wrathfully down at the collie.
He made out the contour and bashed-in profile of a huge Persian cat, silver-gray of hue, dense of coat, green of eye.
"So that's Simon Cameron ?" he queried.