"He's been quite lonesome, and not contented at all with only me.

Every morning and every night he went into your room looking for you, and whined so pitifully at not finding you that I had quite a trouble to comfort him." "More tender-hearted than many a human so-called 'friend'!" murmured Helmsley.
"Why yes, of course!" said Reay.

"There's nothing more faithful on earth than a faithful dog--except"-- and he smiled--"a faithful husband!" Mary laughed.
"Or a faithful wife--which ?" she playfully demanded.

"How does the old rhyme go-- 'A wife, a dog, and a walnut tree, The more you beat 'em, the better they be!' Are you going to try that system when we are married, Angus ?" She laughed again, and without waiting for an answer, ran on a little in front, in order to be first across the natural bridge which separated them from the opposite side of the "coombe," and from the spot where the big chestnut-tree waved its fan-like green leaves and plumes of pinky white blossom over her garden gate.

Another few steps made easily with the support of Reay's strong arm, and Helmsley found himself again in the simple little raftered cottage kitchen, with Charlie tearing madly round and round him in ecstasy, uttering short yelps of joy.