"That explains it, then," I answered. "We were
talking about the bird over there, and he said a man
must have something to love, being without wife or
children, and then I told him a big man like himself,
I should think, would rather have a dog--"

The first officer put down his cup, jerked his body
around, and said, his blue eyes looking into mine:

"You didn't say that, did you?"

I nodded my head.

"Mighty sorry. Don't any of us talk to him of his
dog. What did he say?"

"Nothing. Turned a little pale, got up, and went
out."

"Too bad! You didn't know, of course--wish
I'd posted you."

"Then he DID have a dog?"

"Yes, belonged to that poor girl."

"What became of him?"

The first officer leaned over the table and rested