Renni the Rescuer by Felix Salten

town, a long way from home, and if Renni had anything to do with it, a long way from Karl. Renni didn’t like to have Karl around one little bit, and felt he could get along nicely without Pasha.
    Meanwhile Nemo sunned himself on the gravel paths of the garden, accepting the kitten’s coquetry indifferently and the mother’s kindness with great humility. He rested as only a weary, broken exile rests after a life painful and burdensome.
    George and Renni did not work with any degree of regularity. There were days when George did notfeel like it, gave it up and let his thoughts wander elsewhere—to memories of Olga, the wish for a new friend, man or woman, or the little everyday worries of his life.
    And then at times it was Renni who did not seem interested. He would apparently have forgotten all he had learned and be unable to learn anything new. The two would walk along mechanically side by side. Sometimes Renni would run ahead and swing about in wide circles; then at the least call he would come back to George’s left side. For in all circumstances and no matter what his humour, he was always obedient.
    * * *
    But after they met Bettina they took a fresh interest in life. That occurred one day when Renni was lying perfectly still on the ground as he had been ordered, and George had gone off some distance. He was just on the point of raising his hand to call the dog to him, when he saw a girl stop beside the dog, bend over, and start talking to him. George walked slowly up and heard her say, “Fine fellow! Good pup! And you’re handsome, too.I’d like to pet you, you dear, but I don’t quite dare.”
    Renni lay still, blinking at the girl without even raising his head, and only permitted himself the slightest wag of his tail.
    â€œPlease go on and pet him,” George smiled. “He won’t bite.”
    The girl raised startled eyes. “Oh, I beg your pardon. I saw the dog lying there, and . . . ” she broke off in confusion.
    George gave the sign which released Renni from his motionless waiting. He sprang to his feet and joyfully whirled around his master, and with the same exuberance around the new acquaintance, and she petted him to her heart’s content.
    George looked at the girl with interest. She was not pretty, but young and sweet. She was very simply dressed, without a hat. Her heavy russet hair was wound about her head in thick braids.
    â€œWhy does the—” she interrupted herself. “What is the beautiful thing’s name?” And when she learned his name she resumed, “Why must he lie there all by himself?”
    â€œIt’s an experiment. I’m getting ready to train him for war service.”
    â€œOh dear! The poor thing’s in for a lot of whipping.” She petted Renni, who looked up at her almost laughing. “Renni, good boy,” she went on; “you poor, good dog!”
    George would have liked to ask, “Do I look cruel?” but what he said was, “Does he look to you like a whipped dog?”
    She shrugged her shoulders. “No, not at all. But dogs are so goodhearted and forgiving—how can you tell?”
    â€œWell, you’ll just have to take my word for it, Miss. This Renni of mine has never yet had a blow, not a single one in his whole life.”
    â€œReally?” she cried. “I declare. That’s wonderful.” She knelt down and held Renni’s head against her breast. “Do you really have such a good master?”
    â€œYou see, Miss, I’m trying an experiment in training the dog. I want to accomplish without punishment what others can only do with the whip or the stick.”
    She beamed. “Oh, you’ll do it. I know you will. The dog is so smart, so willing and so gifted . . . . Pleasedon’t call me ‘Miss,’ ” she said with a gesture of sincerity. Her small face turned a dark red. “My name is