Babbie burst out laughing. Ruth turned and came toward them over the dew-sprinkled gra.s.s.
"What are you laughing at, dear?" she asked.
"Oh, Uncle Jed was so funny. He was barking like a dog."
Ruth smiled. "Perhaps he feels as if he were our watchdog, Babbie," she said. "He guards us as if he were."
Babbie hugged her back-step-uncle"s coat sleeve.
"He"s a great, big, nice old watchdog," she declared. "We love him, don"t we, Mamma?"
Jed turned his head to listen.
"Hum . . ." he drawled. "That dog up town has stopped his howlin".
Perhaps he"s beginnin" to realize what a lucky critter he is."
As usual, Babbie was ready with a question.
"Why is he lucky, Uncle Jed?" she asked.
"Why? Oh, well, he . . . he can LOOK at the moon, and that"s enough to make any dog thankful."