It was his duty to stay where he was, until the Mistress should return.

Yet, right behind him, there, a series of mighty entertaining things were happening,--things that he longed to investigate and to mix into.

It was hard to do one's solemn duty as watchdog, when so much of wild interest was astir! Not once did it occur to Laddie to desert his post.

But he could not forbear that low whimper and a glance of appeal toward the post-office.
And now, out of the smear of flying dust, loomed a lurching black shape;--gigantic, terrible.

It was coming straight toward the car; still almost in mid-road.