When she read of McGilead's eccentric offer, she fell to visualizing the "embossed sterling silver cup, 9 inches high (genuine antique)" as it would loom up from the hedge of dog-show prizes already adorning the living room trophy-shelves.
Summer is the zero hour for collies' coats.

Yet, this year, Lad had not yet begun to shed his winter raiment; and he was still in full bloom.
This fact decided the Mistress.

Not one collie in ten would be in anything like perfect coat.

And the prize cup grew clearer and nearer, to her mental vision.

Hence the series of special baths and brushings.
Hence, too, Laddie's daily-increasing gloom.
At eight o'clock on the morning of the show, the Mistress and the Master, with Lad stretched forlornly on the rear seat of the car, set forth up the Valley on the forty-mile run to Beauville.