d shoulder.

The delivery boy saw more. In a swirl of black bad temper, Lady had
gathered herself up from the ditch where Lad's toss had landed her.
Without a moment's pause she threw herself upon the luckless dog whose
rough toss had saved her life. Teeth aglint, growling ferociously, she
dug her fangs into the hurt shoulder and slung her whole weight forward
in the bite.

Thus was it the temperamental Lady's wont to punish real or fancied
injuries from the Place's other animals,--and from humans as well,
except only the Mistress and the Master. She charged first, and did her
thinking afterward. Apparently, her brain, just then, could hold no
impression except that her interfering mate had picked her up by the
neck-scruff and had thrown her, head over heels, into a ditch. And such
treatment called for instant penalty.

Under her fifty-pound impact, poor Lad's three-cornered balance gave
way. Down he went in an awkward heap; while Lady snarled viciously and
snapped for his momentarily exposed throat. Lad turned his head aside
to guard the throat; but he made no move to resent this ungrateful
onslaught; much less to fight back. Which was old Lad's way,--with Lady.

Dislocated shoulder or not, he would have flown at any male dog that
assailed him; and would have made the aggressor fight for dear life.
But his mate was sacred. And he merely protected his throat and let her
nip agonizingly at his ears and paws; until her brief flurry of wrath
should be past.

A shout from the veranda,--whither the racket had drawn the Master from
his study,--put a sudden stop to Lady's brainstorm. Obedience was the
first and foremost rule drilled into the Little People of the Place.
And, from puppy days, the collies were taught to come,--and to come at
a run,--at call from the Mistress or the Master.

Lady, with no good grace, desisted from her punitive task, and galloped
down the drive to the house. Lad, rising with difficulty, followed; as
fast as a three-legged gait would permit. And behind them chugged the
delivery boy, bawling explanations.

A sharp word of reproof sent Lady skulking into a corner; anger
forgotten in humiliation at the public rebuke. The Master paid no heed
to her. Running up the drive, he met Lad, and picked up the suffering
collie in his arms. Carrying him into the study, the Master gave first
aid to the serious dislocation; then phoned for the nearest good vet.

As he left the study, to telephone, he encoun