Page:Anna Chapin--Half a dozen boys.djvu/186

166 that the dog would give up the idea and signify his desire to come in. But no imperative bark was heard. On the contrary, Fuzz appeared to be abundantly satisfied with his position. Then Fred went out and sat down on the steps, inviting the dog to join him. But he proved less attractive than usual, and neither his coaxing nor Mrs. Carter’s commands could move the  delinquent from his post of observation. Then Bridget, now truly penitent for the carelessness that was causing “Miss Bess” so much  delay, promenaded up and down before him,  trailing behind her a perfectly bare beef-bone,  tied to a string. Fuzz eyed her with seeming indifference, while she made three or four turns,  then he darted forward, seized the bone, pulled  till he broke the string, and then triumphantly  walked off to a safe distance, where he lay  down and fell to gnawing his bone. Annoyed and impatient as she was, Bess laughed outright, as she saw the quick act; and Bridget, in  her turn, gave up.

Another period of waiting, and then Fred had a fresh proposal.

“See here. Miss Bess, if Fuzz wants a walk,