sence of the delicious
fried liver and of the mildly dramatic squeaking doll could not atone
for the rest of its contents and for all they implied.

As the car sent the miles slipping behind and as the Mistress and the
Master glanced back less and less often for a pat or a cheery word to
their sulking chum, Lad's dislike for that pestilential bag grew
sharper. True, it held squares of fried liver;--liver whose heavenly
odor penetrated through the musty leather smell of the suitcase and to
the dog's acute senses. Also, it held a doll which exuded thrilling
squeaks when gently bitten. But these things, he knew full well, were
designed as show-ring baits; not as free gifts.

No, the bag was his enemy. And, unlike his few other natural foes, Lad
had never been bidden to leave it unmolested. This memory came to him,
in the midst of his blues. He eyed the loathsome suitcase through
quizzical half-shut eyes, as it rocked and careened at his feet with
every jounce of the car. And into his brain shot the devil of mischief.

Bending down his shapely head, he took the handle of the case between
his teeth. Then, bracing his little white forepaws on the slippery
leather seat, he heaved with all the mighty strength of his back and
shoulders. Under such urgence, the light suitcase swung high in air. A
sideways toss of the muscular throat, and the suitcase whirled clear of
the car door and of the running-board beneath. Then Lad let go; and
settled himself back smugly in the seat. The luckless suitcase smote
the road dust and rolled into a grassy ditch. The car sped on. Lad, for
the moment, was nearly happy. If he were not able to dodge the show
itself, at least he had gotten rid of the odious thing which held so
much he detested and which was always an inseparable part of the
ordeals he was taken to.

Arrived at the country club whose grounds had been fitted for the
charity show, Lad was benched in the shade. And there, all the rest of
the morning, he remained. For Loder, judge of the collies and Old
English Sheepdogs and of two other breeds, had missed a train from
Canada; and had not yet arrived. His various classes were held up,
pending his advent.

"Loder's a lucky man, at that," commented the Toy Breeds judge, with
whom the Master chanced to be talking. "And he'll be still luckier if
he misses the whole show. You 'small exhibitors' have no notion of the
rotten deal handed to a dog-show judge;--though lots of you do more
than