Білий ікол

           "Outofyourownmouthsbeit,"hesaid. "JustasIcontendedrightalong. Nomeredogcouldhavedonewhathedid. He’sawolf." 

           "ABlessedWolf,"amendedtheJudge’swife. 

           "Yes,BlessedWolf,"agreedtheJudge. "Andhenceforththatshallbemynameforhim." 

           "He’llhavetolearntowalkagain,"saidthesurgeon; "sohemightaswellstartinrightnow. Itwon’thurthim. Takehimoutside." 

           Andoutsidehewent,likeaking,withallSierraVistaabouthimandtendingonhim. Hewasveryweak,andwhenhereachedthelawnhelaydownandrestedforawhile. 

           Thentheprocessionstartedon,littlespurtsofstrengthcomingintoWhiteFang’smusclesasheusedthemandthebloodbegantosurgethroughthem. Thestableswerereached,andthereinthedoorway,layCollie,ahalf-dozenpudgypuppiesplayingaboutherinthesun. 

           WhiteFanglookedonwithawonderingeye. Colliesnarledwarninglyathim,andhewascarefultokeephisdistance. Themasterwithhistoehelpedonesprawlingpuppytowardhim. Hebristledsuspiciously,butthemasterwarnedhimthatallwaswell. Collie,claspedinthearmsofoneofthewomen,watchedhimjealouslyandwithasnarlwarnedhimthatallwasnotwell. 

           Thepuppysprawledinfrontofhim. Hecockedhisearsandwatcheditcuriously. Thentheirnosestouched,andhefeltthewarmlittletongueofthepuppyonhisjowl. WhiteFang’stonguewentout,heknewnotwhy,andhelickedthepuppy’sface.