e child, whom he knew to be a
child and irresponsible. His resentment was all against fate, or life,
or whatever it was, the vague, implacable force which was causing Joe
Barnes to hurt him. For Joe Barnes he had only sorrow and hungry
devotion.

Little by little, however, Sonny's lonely and sorrowful heart, in
spite of itself, was beginning to warm toward the unconscious child.
Though still outwardly indifferent, he began to feel gratified rather
than bored when the Kid came up and gaily disturbed his slumbers by
pounding him on the head with his little palm and tumbling over his
sturdy back. It was a mild gratification, however, and seemed to call
for no demonstrative expression.

Then, one noon, he chanced to be lying, heavy-hearted, some ten or a
dozen paces in front of the kitchen door, while Joe Barnes sat on the
doorstep smoking his after-dinner pipe, and Ann bustled through the
dish washing. At such times, in the old happy days, Sonny's place had
always been at Joe Barnes's feet; but those times seemed to have been
forgotten by Joe Barnes, who had the Kid beside him. Suddenly, tired
of sitting still, the little one jumped up and ran over to Sonny.
Sonny resolutely pretended to be asleep. Laughingly the child sprawled
over him, pulled his ears gently, then tried to push open his eyes. A
little burst of warmth gushed up in Sonny's sad heart. With a swift
impulse he lifted his muzzle and licked the Kid, a generous, ample
lick across the face.

Alas! as blundering fate would have it, the Kid's face was closer than
Sonny had imagined. He not only licked it, but at the same time bumped
it violently with his wet muzzle. Taken by surprise and half-dazed,
the Kid drew back with a sharp little "Oh!" His eyes grew very wide,
and for an instant his mouth quivered as if he was going to cry. This
was all Joe Barnes saw. Springing to his feet, with a smothered oath,
he ran, caught the Kid up in his arms, and gave Sonny a fierce kick in
the ribs which sent him rushing back to his kennel with a howl of
grief and pain.

Ann had come running from the house in amazement. The Kid was sobbing,
and struggling to get down from Joe's arms.

Ann snatched him away anxiously. "What did Sonny do to ye, the bad
dawg!" she demanded.

"He ain't bad. He's good. He jest kissed me too hard!" protested the
little one indignantly.

"He hurt the Kid's face. I ain't right sure but what he snapped at
him," said Joe Barnes.

"He didn't hurt