still wagging, showing his kindness and willingness to oblige, but
with spine rigid and hair bristling, he explained clearly and succinctly
to that strange dog how absolutely impossible it would be for him to
permit his crossing the archway. Up went the spine of the stranger, and
out went his tail like a bar of steel, the feet braced, and the whole body
taut as standing rigging. But the concierge kept on wagging his tail,
though his hair still bristled,--saying as plainly as he could:--

"My dear sir, do not blame me. I assure you that nothing in the world
would give me more pleasure than to throw the whole house open to you; but
consider for a moment. My master puts me here to see that nobody enters
the inn but those whom he wishes to see, and that all other live-stock,
especially dogs, shall on no account be admitted." (This with head bent on
one side and neck arched.) "Now, while I have the most distinguished
consideration for your dogship" (tail wagging violently), "and would
gladly oblige you, you must see that my honor is at stake" (spine more
rigid), "and I feel assured that under the circumstances you will not
press a request (low growl) which you must know would be impossible for me
to grant."

And the strange dog, gentleman as he was, expressed himself as entirely
satisfied with the very free and generous explanation. With tail wagging
more violently than ever, he assured the concierge that he understood his
position exactly. Then wheeling suddenly, he bounded down the road. Though
convinced, he was still anxious.

Then the concierge gravely settled himself once more on his haunches in
his customary place, his eyes commanding the view up and down and across
the road, where I sat still tilted back in my chair waiting for my
cutlets, his whole body at rest, his face expressive of that quiet content
which comes from a sense of duties performed and honor untarnished.

But the stranger had duties, too; he must answer the whistle, and find his
master. His search down the road being fruitless, he rushed back to the
concierge, looking up into his face, his eyes restless and anxious.

"If it were inconsistent with his honor to permit him to cross the
threshold, was there any other way he could get into the coffee-room?"
This last with a low whine of uneasiness, and a toss of head.

"Yes, certainly," jumping to his feet, "why had he not mentioned it
before? It would give him very great pleasure to show him the way t