omething wherewith he might comfort himself.
For instance, as a pup, a scolding for some petty misdeed would send
him in search of his cherished flannel doll or his squeaking ball. In
later years, the car had taken the place of these babyhood comforters.

Lad cared more for motoring than for any other amusement. In moments of
stress he sometimes ran to the garage and curled himself up in the
tonneau; as though in hope someone might take pity on his unhappiness
and give him a drive. And, usually, somebody did.

Now, turning back, rebuffed, from the forest gallop, he caught sight of
the car. Not in the garage, either; but at the front door; where its
presence could mean nothing except an immediate ride.

With one high spring, Lad had cleared the ground and was over the
closed tonneau door and amid a ruck of luggage and rugs. The rear seat
was filled by a steamer-trunk, strapped tightly in place there. And the
bottom of the car was annoyingly crowded by bumpy bags and other gear.

Still, by the simple and ancestral process of turning himself around
several times, Lad was able to clear enough space on the floor to
permit of his lying down; albeit in a very compact bunch.

He settled himself into place on the floor with a satisfied jounce
which loosened a car-rug draped over the trunk. Down slithered the rug;
and fell athwart the dog's shaggy back and one of the bags. It was not
heavy enough to annoy Lad or hurt his feelings. And its draped folds
served as the top of a sort of cave for him. On the whole, Lad rather
enjoyed the rug's descent. It made his narrow resting-place snugger and
warmer on this chilly early morning. Patiently, Lad lay there; waiting
for the car to start.

He did not have long to wait. In another minute or two, the Mistress
and the Master came out from breakfast; and got into the front seat.
Then the car was breasting the winding slope of the drive, in first
speed; the faint jar of the engine sending undulations over the
mahogany-and-white coat of the stowaway dog. And, in a minute more,
they were out on the smooth highway, headed for the distant Catskills.

Now, Lad had not the remotest notion he was a stowaway. On the few
times when it had not been convenient to take him on drives, the Master
had always bidden him stay at home. And when, at such times, the dog
chanced already to be its the car, he had been ordered back to earth.
There, was no way for Lad to know, this morning, that neither of th