She had approached with tact the sub ject of Chum's disposal. But
she had done so with a view to the saving of Link's feelings, not
with the faintest idea that her love-bemused slave could venture
to oppose her. She knew his fondness for the dog and she had not
wished to bring matters to an issue, if tact would serve as well.
To punish her serf and to crush rebellion once and for all, as
well as to be avenged for her wasted diplomacy, Dorcas cast aside
her kindlier intent and drove straight to the point. Her calm
temper was ruffled, and she spoke with a new heat:
"There is something you and I may as well settle, here and now,
Link," she said. "It will save bickerings and misunderstandings,
later on. I've told you how I hate dogs. They are savage and
treacherous and--"
"Chum ain't!" declared Link stoutly.
"Why, that dog--"
"I hate dogs," she went on, "and I'm horribly afraid of them. I
won't live in the same house with one. I don't want to hurt your
feelings, Link, but you'll have to get rid of that great brown
brute before you marry me.
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