The milling and changing groups of spectators in front of Bench
65 did not dwindle. Indeed, as the morning went on, they
increased. People kept coming back to the bench and bringing
others with them. Some of these people whispered together. Some
merely stared and went away. Some asked Ferris carefully worded
questions, to which the shyly happy mountaineer replied with
sheepish grunts.
The long period of judging came at last to an end. And the "Best
Dog in Show" special was called.
Into the ring Ferris escorted Chum, amid a multitude of fellow
winners, representing one male or female of every breed
exhibited. Leighton and another judge stood in the ring's center,
and around them billowed the heterogeneous array. The two went at
their Gargantuan task with an expert swiftness. Mercilessly, dog
after dog was weeded out and gated. At last, Chum and two others
were all remaining of the many which had thronged the ring. The
spectators were banked, five deep and breathless, round the
ropes.
The two judges went into brief executive session in one corner.
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