The sound of her voice aroused old Hector, the watchdog, who had been
lying in the sun upon the piazza. Stretching his huge limbs and shaking
his shaggy sides, he stalked into the sitting room, and going up to his
mistress laid his head caressingly in her lap. The sight of Hector made
Mrs. Wilmot's tears flow afresh, for during many years he had been the
faithful companion of Richard, whose long absence he seemed seriously to
mourn. For days and weeks he had watched by the gate, through which he had
seen his young master pass, and when at last the darkness of night forbade
a longer watch, he would lay his head on the ground and give vent to his
evident disappointment in a low, mournful howl.
Mrs. Wilmot was not superstitious; but when, day after day, the same sad
cry was repeated, it became to her an omen of coming evil; and thus the
shock of her son's death, though none the less painful, was not quite as
great as it would otherwise have been. For Kate, too, old Hector had wept,
but not so long or so mournfully; still he remembered her, and always
evinced his joy whenever her name was spoken.
On the morning of the day on which she was expected home, a boy who had
lived in the family when she went away, called Hector to him, and
endeavored, by showing him some garment which Kate had worn and by
repeating her name, to make him understand that she was coming home. We
will not say that Hector understood him, but we know that during the day
he never for a moment left the house or yard, but lay upon the piazza,
looking eagerly toward the road which led from the village. Whenever he
saw a carriage coming, he would start up and gaze wistfully at it until it
had passed, then he would again lie down and resume his watch. Mrs. Wilmot
noticed this, and when Hector, as we have seen, walked up to her and
looked so sympathizingly in her face, she patted his head, saying, "Poor
Hector; you will see Kate at least today."
Nor was she mistaken, for about three that afternoon, an omnibus drew up
before the gate. Kate immediately sprang out, and was followed by Mr.
Miller and Fanny. Their arrival was first made known to Mrs. Wilmot by the
cry of joy which Hector sent forth at sight of Kate. With lightning speed
he bounded over the lawn to meet the travelers. Fanny, who was accustomed
to the savage watchdogs of Kentucky, sprang back in terror and clung to
Mr. Miller for protection; but Kate cried out, "Do not fear; it is only
Hector, and he wouldn't harm you for the world." Then she ran forward to
meet him, and embraced him as fondly as though he had really been a human
being, and understood and appreciated it all. And he did seem to, for
after caressing Kate, he looked about as if in quest of the missing one.
Gradually he seemed to become convinced that Richard was not there; again
was heard the old wailing howl; but this time it was more prolonged, more
despairing. Faithful creature! Know you not that summer's gentle gale and
winter's howling storm have swept over the grave of him whom you so
piteously bemoan.