And the task was often difficult, for there were many
alluring temptations and many bad examples.
"But she positively enjoys it," insisted "Scotty." "When her own little
ones outgrow her care, she is always watching for a chance to annex at
least one member of any new litter in her neighborhood. Only last week
she heard the faint squeaks and squeals of Nellie Silk's malamute pups,
and I caught her tunneling under the manger to try to get to them.
Mego's kidnapping is the one scandal in the Kennel."
"I suppose they were siren calls, not to be resisted. And anyway, that
is the only blot on her otherwise spotless character. She possibly does
it for the excitement; and if you will let her go in the Hot Springs
team she will have something else to think about. If you don't give her
a new interest," was the sinister and gloomy prophecy, "stealing puppies
will very likely become an obsession with her."
But Allan was not to be persuaded. "She gets all of the exercise and
pleasure that she needs here about the place. If she went away only
think of the things that might happen to her youngest family. You know
how careless Birdie is with them."
"That's so," with a sigh. "I had quite forgotten Birdie," and she
recalled with regret the habit of that half grown stag-hound of dropping
bits of food into the corral, between the wires, to make friends of the
little ones; and then after working at the fastening of the gate till it
could be opened, enticing them out for a frolic.
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