He glanced obliquely at the truckman, who had unloaded and who was cranking.
"Now--" said the scared youth, glibly, avoiding his father's unsuspecting eye.

"Now--now, Lad he was settin' 'twixt Simmons and me.
And he hops down and runs off around the house, towards--towards the lake--soon as we stopped here.

Most likely he was thirsty-like, or something." The Mistress was busy with details of the car's unpacking.

So she accepted the explanation.

It seemed probable that the long and dusty ride should have made Lad thirsty; and that after his drink at the lake, he had made the rounds of the Place; as ever was his wont after his few brief absences from home.
Not until dinnertime did she give another thought to her loved pet's absence.