“Very thoughtful of Dix, I’m sure,” said Mr. Brown, who had come outside as had his wife, while Bunny and Sue remained in their pajamas in the doorway.  “He probably meant it kindly, but what will the man think whose cow she is?  Well, what’s the matter with you, Splash?” asked Mr. Brown, for that dog, too, was barking very loudly.  “Did you see the cow first, and wouldn’t Dix let you have a share in bringing her here?  I guess that was it.  Never mind, you shall lead the cow home, if we can find out where she belongs.”

He patted Splash’s head as he spoke, and talked to the dog almost as he would have talked to a small boy.  And I think Splash understood, for he wagged his tail, and seemed pleased.

Dix led the cow up to Mr. Brown, and there, dropping the end of the rope, wagged his tail, barked once or twice and looked up as though he were saying: 

“Well, didn’t I do pretty well for the first day?  I found a cow for you.  That will more than pay my board.  I’ll try and find something else to-morrow.”

Then, as if satisfied that he had done his duty, Dix went off to hunt for a bone he had buried after his supper, and Splash went with him.

“Well, what in the world are we going to do with it?” asked Mrs. Brown.  “We can’t keep this cow; that’s sure!”

“We might tie her to one of the auto wheels,” said Mr. Brown.

“No, thank you!” exclaimed his wife.  “She’d moo all night, and keep us awake.”

“But we can’t turn her loose,” said Mr. Brown.  “She might wander off and be stolen, and then the owner would blame us, though it might not be our fault.  Since Dix has brought the cow to us, no matter whether we wanted her or not, we’ve got to look after her somehow.”

“Couldn’t Dix take her back?” asked Bunny, from where he stood in the doorway with Sue.

“That’s perhaps a good idea,” replied Mr. Brown.  “Though I don’t know that Dix could exactly take her back.  I think I’d better do it myself.  It’s early yet, and probably the farmer who owns the cow is out looking for her.  I’ll let Splash lead the cow back along the road, and I’ll go with him.  We may meet the farmer.”

“Well, don’t be gone too long,” begged Mrs. Brown.  “The first day is always hard and we want to get to bed early.”

“I’ll do my best,” promised Mr. Brown.  “Come on, Splash!  It’s your turn now to lead the cow!”

Splash barked joyfully, and seemed glad that he was to have something to do with the big horned animal, who was contentedly chewing her cud, lying down beside the automobile.  She appeared quite contented wherever she was.

“Oh, let us come!” begged Bunny and Sue, as they saw their father go off down the road with Splash leading the cow by the rope.

“No, indeed!  You youngsters get to bed!” said Mrs. Brown.  “You ought to be glad of the chance.  You must be tired.”

“We’re not—­a single bit!” declared Bunny, but though he and Sue begged hard, and teased to go to see the cow taken home, their mother would not let them.