“Dad, what do you think of the Russian wolf-hound?”

“Fine as silk,” said I, not seeing the trap; “the handsomest dog that runs.”

“I think so, too.  I saw some beauties in the Seabright kennels.  Wouldn’t one of them look fine on the lawn?—­lemon and white, and so tall and silky.  I saw one down there, and he wasn’t a year old, but his tail looked like a great white ostrich feather, and it touched the ground.  Wouldn’t it be grand to have such a dog follow me when I rode.  Say, Dad, why not have one?”

“What do you suppose a good one would cost?”

“I don’t know, but a good bit more than a terrier, if they sell dogs by size.  May I write and find out?”

“There’s no harm in doing that,” said I, like the jellyfish that I am.

Jane wasted no time, but wrote at once, and at least seventeen times each day, until the reply came, she gave me such vivid accounts of the beauties of the beasts and of the pleasure she would have in owning one, that I grew enthusiastic as well, and quite made up my mind that she should not be disappointed.  When the letter came, there was suppressed excitement until she had read it, and then excitement unsuppressed.

“Dad, we can have Alexis, son of Katinka by Peter the Great, for $125!  See what the letter says:  ’Eleven months old, tall and strong in quarters, white, with even lemon markings, better head than Marksman, and a sure winner in the best of company.’  Isn’t that great?  And I don’t think $125 is much, do you?”

“Not for a horse or a house, dear, but for a dog—­”

“But you know, Dad, this isn’t a common dog.  We mustn’t think of it as a dog; it’s a barzoi; that isn’t too much for a barzoi, is it?”

“Not for a barzoi, or a yacht either; I guess you will have to have one or the other.”

“The Seabright man says he has a girl dog by Marksman out of Katrina that is the very picture of Alexis, only not so large, and he will sell both to the same person for $200; they are such good friends.”

“Break away, daughter, do you want a steam launch with your yacht?”

“But just think, Dad, only $75 for this one.  You save $50, don’t you see?”

“Dimly, I must confess, as through a glass darkly.  But, dear, I may come to see it through your eyes and in the light of this altruistic dog fancier.  I’m such a soft one that it’s a wonder I’m ever trusted with money.”

The natural thing occurred once more; the fool and his money parted company, and two of the most beautiful dogs came to live on our lawn.  To live on our lawn, did I say?  Not much!  Such wonderful creatures must have a house and grounds of their own to retire to when they were weary of using ours, or when our presence bored them.  The kennel and runs were built near the carriage barn, the runs, twenty by one hundred feet, enclosed with high wire netting.  The kennel, eight by sixteen, was a handsome structure of its kind, with two compartments eight by eight (for Jane spoke for the future), and beds, benches, and the usual fixtures which well-bred dogs are supposed to require.