were about Finn's neck, while Finn nosed
the momentarily neglected Kathleen's muzzle.

"You great, beautiful Finn, do you know you are first? Do you know
you've beaten all the champions?" she said. And Finn nuzzled her
shoulder and wondered why she was in any doubt about his
recognition of a thing so obvious. But it was a very great triumph
all the same; the greatest triumph that had ever fallen to a
breeder of Irish Wolfhounds, as some of those who hastened to
congratulate the Master now were careful to point out.

"For a fifteen months' novice, you know, against two champions, and
a hound like Cormac--wonderful!" they said. But all were agreed
that Finn justified the award. "He's the tallest hound in the
breed, now," said the Judge, as he passed that way, and lingered to
pass his hand over Finn's shoulder; "and he will be the biggest and
finest if he lives; distinctly the finest Irish Wolfhound I have
ever handled, and--I've handled most of them." Higher tribute from
such a Judge no dog could earn. The Master flushed with pleasure
and pride as he heard it, and turned to receive the congratulations
of the exhibitors of Champions Dermot Asthore, and Munster.

In the Limit and Novice classes Finn was awarded first place as a
matter of course. There was nothing there to beat him. And then
came the judging of the bitch classes, in which Kathleen did
extraordinarily well for so young a hound, and in such "good
company," as the saying goes. She won third prize in the Open
class, second in the Limit, and first in the Novice. And then four
other young hounds filed into the ring with Finn and Kathleen to be
judged in the junior class. The other four young hounds were of a
very good sort, but they had not the development, the bone, muscle,
and stature of Finn and Kathleen, and there was not much hesitation
in the decision which placed Finn first, Kathleen second, and a
youngster called Connemara third.

And then Finn had to be judged beside the winner in the Open class
for bitches, to decide who should be given the Challenge Shield for
the best Irish Wolfhound in the Show. And this was a task which
tried the white-haired Judge's patience for a long time. The female
was Champion Lady Iseult of Leinster, and one of the most beautiful
hounds of her sex ever seen. She was fully matured, and her
reputation was world-wide. Judged on "points," as breeders say, she
was very near to perfection. Technically, it was difficult to find