But look now at the Hope of the Future! He's certainly working." The Hope of the Future was ascending the steps, heavily burdened.

So heavily was he burdened that for the moment ascent looked impossible.
Each arm was filled with a shapeless bundle of white and yellow fur which closer inspection revealed as the collie pups.
With each step the hind legs of a wriggling puppy slipped a little farther through Worth's arms.

When finally he stood before them only a big puppy head was visible underneath each shoulder.

Approaching Ann, then backing around, he let one squirming pair of legs rest on her lap, freed his arm, and Ann had the puppy.

"You can play with him a little while," he remarked graciously.
"Worth," said Katie, "it is unto my friend Miss Forrest, known in the intimacies of the household as Miss Ann, that you have just made this tender offering." Worth took firm hold on his remaining puppy and stood there surveying Ann.