Janet gave a mighty sigh of relief. Harry had not told tales. She smiled at his mother reassuringly. "Poor old fellow. I hope I can do something to help him." "Oh, I'm sure you can. Harry says you are wonderful with animals," Mrs. Waters replied. "Roy is such a valuable dog," she added. They reached the Waters' cottage, just off the main street of the little village, and Janet followed Mrs. Waters around to the barn. Before the door was opened, she could hear the low moan of an animal in pain. Once inside, she knelt down beside Roy and patted him. He gave her the affectionate welcome, always awarded a true dog lover. She examined his paw and found the trouble to be a deeply embedded splinter. "May I have a darning needle? she asked. Mrs. Waters hurried to the house to get it. Janet busied herself filling a basin with clear spring water, and she took the towel from its roller on the kitchen porch. "Here it is, my dear," Mrs. Waters said, "and a bottle of peroxide. You don't mind if I don't stay, do you! I'd be sure to faint." Janet smiled. "No indeed. I can get along quite well alone," she said, and knelt to her task. For the next few minutes she was absorbed in her work. The splinter was in deep, and it was hard to make Roy lie still. She was about to give up in despair when a voice, almost at her elbow, said: "Here, let me help." She turned quickly, startled, and saw a boy about fifteen, very shabbily dressed in old blue overalls and a torn straw hat. His hair, burnt by the sun, was almost red, and his eyes were a clear gray. Janet was too astonished to speak, but with a nod she accepted his offer to help, and they worked in silence until the splinter was out and the wound carefully bathed. "I guess I'll let him lick it," Janet said, putting aside the bandage Mrs. Waters had given her. The boy nodded. "Best way," he said. "Do you know horses as well as dogs!" he inquired slowly. "No, we haven't any, you see," Janet replied, as she gathered up the things and started for the house. "Too bad." The boy spoke with a drawl that had nothing of laziness in it but a good deal of dreamy calculation. He leaned over and patted Roy. "Good night, old fellow," he said, and without a word more to Janet he disappeared as quietly as he had come. Janet went on into the house, wondering who he could be, but for some reason she did not ask Mrs. Waters, perhaps because that good lady was too busy thanking her. "I think you are so clever, dearie," she said warmly. "I wonder where Harry can be. It's dark, and he ought to see you home." "Oh, don't bother Harry," Janet protested. "I'll run all the way and I'll be there in no time. I'll be down to see Roy to-morrow."