Not till then.

Come on up to dinner." Unwillingly and with wistful backward looks, Lad followed the Mistress and the Master to the house and into the dining room and to his wonted place on the floor at the Master's left side.

But, more than once during the meal, the man caught the collie's eyes fixed on him in worried supplication; and was hard put to it not to grant the plea which fairly clamored in his chum's mute gaze.
After dinner, when the Mistress and the Master set off on their usual evening walk, Lad was not on hand to accompany them.

As a rule, he was all around them and in front and behind, in a series of gay rushes, as they started on these walks.

But not until the Master called him, tonight, did he appear.