Page:Sheila and Others (1920).djvu/145

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CONSIDERING KEDDO
133

hold. Fortunately, her aversion appeared to be unnoticed by the new-comer, whose irradiation of happiness was so complete that it embraced everything and everybody that came near him. Even when his jubilant tail was accidentally stepped on, the solitary yelp of pain that followed gave instant place to demonstrations of forgiveness and joyous overtures of renewed affection.

Thus was Keddo's entry into the family bosom made secure. There were still rocks ahead, to be sure, but the will to overcome them had been established and that is the point of paramount importance in all undertakings. Keddo had won his place for himself chiefly by his confidence in it, and in our intentions toward him. Every self-respecting dog has "folks" back of him as a matter of course, somebody to love and belong to, his attitude seemed to say; we were his, and that was the sum of the matter. The tie was further strengthened by his absolute joy in it and his spontaneous devotion to us singly and collectively. None but a Prussian could have resisted him. Everybody liked him, everybody made friends with him. The very passers-by on the street (after his advent in Toronto)