"You bad, bad men.

I won't let you hurt Bart." "They won't hurt you, Bart," explained Joan, taming much mollified to the great wolf-dog.

"They're just playin'.

Now we'll go." And she started toward the door, with Bart slinking in front and keeping a watchful lookout from a corner of his eye.
"Are you going to leave the poor little puppy, Joan ?" said the mother, keeping her voice steady, for all the force of the two men could not help her now.

It rested with her wit.
"I'll take him with me," answered Joan, and caught up the howling puppy from the floor.