is simple manner, for Finn never realized that quite a
number of hours of patient instruction and practice had been
devoted to the attainment of this end.

Then there came a mid-October morning when, in place of the early
scamper on the Downs, Finn and Kathleen were given a light
breakfast a little before daylight arrived, and after that were
treated to an unusually elaborate grooming. Finn had an exciting
sense of impending change and adventure, and even Tara seemed moved
to a stately kind of restlessness which kept her pacing the den as
though performing a minuet, instead of sitting or lying at her
ease. Tara seemed to be a good deal moved and excited when two
bright nickel chains, with queer little tin medals attached to
them, were produced, and fitted on two new green collars for Finn
and Kathleen. She nosed these chains with great interest, for they
roused all kinds of vague memories in her, and anticipations, too,
which she could not define to herself. (Finn and Kathleen had never
seen dog chains before, and paid very little heed to them now.
Their necks and shoulders had never tasted the irk of the state
which is called being "tied up.") The Master drew the attention of
the Mistress of the Kennels to Tara's interest in the chains, and
then he stroked the great bitch's head as he said--

"Never any more, old lady. You have done your share, and shall
never be hustled about at shows again; so just lie down and go to
sleep. The Missis will be home to see you again this evening. Be a
good girl, and wish your son and daughter luck!"

Tara watched them wistfully as they all filed out of the stable-yard
gateway to the road, and then, with the philosophy born of
honoured age and matronhood, returned to the den and lay down with
her muzzle on the Master's slippers.

Finn was weighed on the station platform that morning, and turned
the scale at 139 lbs., with nine months still before him for
"furnishing."

"Of course, one has to remember that not a single chance has been
missed with Finn," said the Master. "His development is probably
some months ahead of the average hound of his age, but it is pretty
good at that; yes, I think it is pretty good."

And then a train came roaring into the station, and Finn and
Kathleen, who up till now had only occasionally seen trains from a
distance, lowered their tails, and pulled back a little on their
chains. The Master had a pleasant way with people like railway
guards, and thi