"Miss Lydia, Miss Vivian, I didn't expect you to be out for a walk on a cloudy day!" I rose from my rocking-chair, and Lydia, with a red leash, and a short, dark, medium-haired dog, stood between her and Vivian. The black dog had a round toy in his mouth, and from the corner of his mouth hung a long drool. It eyed me warily, as if I were prey.
"Princess Madeleine moved to her estate and before she left she told us to take care of Duke for her. It's Duke's walk time!" Lydia touched the black dog's head as if speaking to her son, "Oh baby Duke, do you want to play ball? Go ahead!"
" said Lydia, taking the orb from Duke's mouth and hurling it with such force that he immediately spread his legs and ran in his direction.
"Heard you were sick, Miss Emily!" Vivian said ominously, "Are you scar
