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 untiring activity which she had before utterly lacked; she displayed a very quick and observant intelligence; she entered into all his pursuits, except riding, with a zest which made her an admirable comrade.

But for all Pollyooly's wariness, when they were together, Ronald's face was never for long free from its puzzled air. She could not help the occasional display of an astounding ignorance. Above everything the changed behavior of the dogs puzzled him.

One day he said, "It's no good. I can't understand these dogs. You used to say that you didn't like dogs; but the thing was that the dogs didn't like you. They didn't find you sporting enough."

"Well, now they do. We all change: Miss Marlow said so," said Pollyooly quickly.

"Yes, but such a change in such a little time. You were quite different last time I was here," said Ronald, frowning.

Pollyooly said nothing. She seemed quite uninterested in the matter.

"And there are the other things," said Ronald, looking at her with an almost worried air.