But he understood and loved the Mistress's sweet voice and the caress of her cool little hand; and the sympathy in her tone.

It all meant much to Laddie.

Very much indeed.

And he laid his mighty head against her knee; happy in the comfort of touch and voice.
Nevertheless, that wistful glint was ever lurking in his deep-set eyes, nowadays.

And his gayly trumpeting bark rang out less often and less jubilantly than of old.