The sound outside was an odd one; scarcely could she imagine it made by Memory Frean.
Tory was still tired and anxious, more so than she had been during her long vigil. Never had she read so much and for so long a time and certainly not under such circumstances.
“Memory, is it you?” the girl’s voice called.
The following instant a huge body flung itself against the door so that the little house shook with the impact.
Tory had the good sense to cross over to the window. More fully awake and with daylight come, she had less sense of nervous fear.
The snow outside lay nearly level with the window sill, although it had ceased to fall. The morning air was clear and shining. The white arms of the trees were outstretched as if in benediction.
Unable to see through the frosted glass, Tory partly raised the window.
She gave a little cry as the figure bounded from the door to the window. The cry was not of fear but of amused relief.
The early morning intruder was a dog that lived in the neighborhood and was an especial friend of Miss Frean’s. She it was who had named him “The Emperor.”
He had not appeared at the camp in Beechwood Forest the summer before as often as the Girl Scouts had expected. Apparently the Emperor regarded only a few persons with affection. The confusion of camp life did not please him to the extent of the quiet little House in the Woods.
Miss Frean had a peculiar sympathy with animals, the rare gift possessed by few persons and most of them lonely in their relation to human beings.
At present Tory Drew was not surprised by the visit from the Emperor. Troubled by the first heavy snowstorm of the winter, he had come to see if all were well with his friend.
Unhesitatingly Tory opened the door and the big dog rushed indoors. He was a Great Dane and she reeled slightly when he threw himself against her, placing his heavy paws on her two shoulders.
The voice that ordered him down was not wholly devoid of fear.
The Emperor obeyed, but seized hold of the crimson dressing gown, the property of Miss Frean, which Tory was still wearing. He began pulling at it with an intensity of appeal.
Tory recognized the situation, or was under the impression that she recognized it.
Far away as the House in the Woods was from other homes, some one must have gone astray in the storm. The Emperor had come to the one person he knew who was sure to give aid. He had come to seek Miss Frean. Not finding her, he was making his petition to the person he had discovered in her place.