Often Ben, whose mother had obtained work in town so that he might go to
school regularly, joined in these important discussions; and while
somewhat older than his companions, he greatly enjoyed being with them,
for they were manly little fellows and had picked up much valuable dog
lore from "Scotty" and Matt.
The Woman, too, for no apparent reason, was frequently at these serious
conclaves, and was apt to voice rather trifling views on the weighty
matters in debate. George felt that she was entitled only to the
courteous toleration one accords the weaker sex in matters too deep for
their inconsequent minds to grasp fully; for even if she was his
father's racing partner, she had openly acknowledged that she considered
dogs a pastime, and not a life study, which naturally proved her mental
limitations.
[Illustration: The Woman]
One of the events already assured was a race for boys under nine years
of age. "It's too bad you're too old for it, Ben," George had exclaimed
sympathetically. "Father's told Danny and me we can use some of his
dogs; and he'd 'a' been glad t' do the same for you. When I want t'
drive fast dogs, and go t' the Moving Pictures at night, and drink
coffee, I wish I was old too; but now I can see that gettin' old's
pretty tough on a feller sometimes."
"Mebbe there'll be a race fer the older boys later," replied Ben
hopefully. "I dunno as I could do much myself, but I sure would like t'
try Baldy out. He minds so quick I think he'd be a fine leader; an' it
looks like he'd be fast from the way he chases rabbits and squirrels
out on the tundra.
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