Encouraged by the Master's approving nod, the maid ventured to enlarge still further upon the theme.
"It always seems as if he was welcoming me downstairs, like," she resumed, "and glad to see me. I've really missed him quite bad this past few mornings." The approving look on the Master's face gave way to a glare of utter blankness.
"This past few mornings?" he repeated, blitheringly. "What do you mean?"
"Why," she returned, flustered afresh by the quick change in her interlocutor's manner. "Ever since those French windows are left open for the night—same as they always are when the hot weather starts in, you know, sir. Since then, Laddie don't wait for me to let him out. When he wakes up he just goes out himself. He used to do that last year, too, sir. He——"
"Thanks," muttered the Mas
