rs crawled over him and momentarily
usurped his proud position, then, in the very moment of his
awakening, that other puppy would be rolled backward, full of
gurgling and futile protestation, and Finn would resume the picked
place. Whatever was best in the way of warmth, and food, and
comfort, that Finn obtained, even at this absurdly rudimentary
stage, by token of superior weight, energy, and vitality. Also,
though the last to be born, Finn was the first to approach the
achievement of standing, for an instant, upon his own little pink-padded
feet, and the first, by days, to dream of the impertinence
of blindly pawing his mother's wet satin nose, while that devoted
parent washed her family.

But Finn and the rest were sound asleep, and Tara was dozing with
one brown eye uncovered, when the Master came into the den on that
second morning and spoke invitingly to his beloved mother of
heroes. The great bitch rose slowly and with gentle care, and Finn,
with the other sucklings, rolled helplessly on his back, sleepily
cheeping a puny remonstrance, though he had no idea what he wanted.
Then, in his ridiculously masterful way, Finn grovellingly burrowed
under the other puppies, that he might have the benefit of all
their warmth, and was asleep again. Tara eyed the blind things for
a moment with maternal solicitude, and then, seeing that all was
well with them, followed the Master out into the bright, fresh
sunshine of the stable-yard. She did not think about it, but she
was perfectly well aware that it was desirable for her to take
fresh air, and move about a little to stretch her great limbs.

"Come and see the Mistress, old lady; come along and stretch
yourself," said her friend.

And so Tara strolled round the yard twice, and then across to the
back-kitchen door, where, inside the house, she had some warm bread
and milk with the Mistress of the Kennels. Tara lapped steadily and
conscientiously, but without much appetite. Suddenly, when the
basin was about three-quarters empty, she realised with a start
that the Master had left her. One quick look she gave to right and
left, and then, the mother anxiety shining in her brown eyes, she
reached the outer door in a bound.

"Look out for Tara!" cried the Mistress through the open window.
And: "All right! I'm clear now. Let her in, will you?" answered the
Master, from beyond the gate leading to the coach-house.

So the Mistress opened the house door, and in three cat-like b