Part 7 (1/2)
”What do you know about setters?” demanded Harry.
Ernest, in the face of superior wisdom, admitted that he didn't know very much.
”Well, you ought to,” said Harry. ”What's the use of having dogs if you don't know all about them?”
”Sam b.u.mpus has told us a good deal about training and hunting,” said Jack.
”Yes, but what do you know about the breed, where it came from and all that? Do you want to find out?”
”Sure,” said Ernest.
”Well, I'll tell you where you can find out,” said Harry. ”I know a man that knows more about dogs than anybody else in the world, I guess.”
”Who is he?” demanded Ernest.
”Did you ever hear of the Willowdale Kennels?” asked Harry.
Ernest was forced to admit that he had not.
”Well, they're over at Thornboro,” said Harry. ”They have twenty-eight dogs there. Mr. Hartshorn owns them, but the man that takes care of them is Tom Poultice. He's an Englishman, and he used to have charge of kennels in England once. He knows all about collies and greyhounds and--and every kind of dogs there are.”
”I bet he doesn't know more about setters and pointers than Sam b.u.mpus does,” said Ernest, loyally.
”Bet you a hundred dollars he does,” said Harry.
”Bet you a thousand he doesn't.”
The bidding bade fair to be unlimited, and though the millions and billions and trillions remained to be called upon, Harry desisted.
”Tell you what I'll do,” said he. ”I'll take you over there and then you can see for yourselves.”
Ernest and Jack promptly forgot their controversy with Harry and accepted his proposal with animation.
”And can we see all those dogs?” asked Ernest.
”Sure,” said Harry.
”How many did you say there were?”
”Twenty-four besides four puppies.”
”Whew!” Jack exclaimed.
”When can we go?” asked Ernest.
”Why, this afternoon, if you want to. It's over five miles to Thornboro, but we can take the 2:10 train and be there in no time. You come along by my house after dinner and whistle,” said Harry.
”Bully,” said Ernest, and Harry turned and walked jauntily out of the stable with old Mike lumbering at his heels.