Renni the Rescuer by Felix Salten Page A

Bettina Holman. My friends call me Bettina.”
    She felt at ease with this young man. He gave her his name in return and insisted she call him George. Bettina told him her father had been a railroad man and was now on a pension. She had no mother. Her three grown brothers were employed as electricians or machinists. She herself, the youngest, was starting out to find a place as a servant girl. “It’s very hard,” she said, sighing. Being only eighteen, she had never worked.
    While she petted Renni she listened to what George told her of himself, of his mother, of the dog fancier, Vogg; she heard his theories about animals in general and dogs in particular.
    When they separated, they were already friends. George went home in a state of suppressed excitement. For the present he said nothing to his mother of this meeting, nor anything about his experiment with Renni.
    The next day he met Bettina by appointment at the same place. From then on they met regularly at various places in the open country.
    â€œWhat I want Renni to do is to learn to hunt for wounded men. He must find his man; then run quickly back to his master; then lead him to the spot. It’s a hard, an awfully hard job.”
    Bettina was full of confidence. “Hard? Maybe—but Renni will get it all right, won’t you, Renni? It won’t take you long.”
    â€œWell, it won’t be as simple as all that, Bettina. It calls for practice, pains, patience. Any amount of patience.”
    â€œYou have patience.” The girl smiled without coquetry. “See how kind you are with me.”
    â€œWhat do you mean? As if I needed patience with you! You’re a dear.”
    She changed the subject. “We’ll need help—someone to play wounded.”
    George caught her hand. “Thank you, Bettina.”
    She withdrew her hand which he let go reluctantly. “Thank me? Why?”
    â€œWell, because you said ‘we.’ ”
    She blushed a little, hesitated. “Perhaps my brothers . . . ”
    * * *
    When George came home in high spirits, his mother said, “A girl . . . ? Don’t answer, son. You know I’d be very happy if . . . ”
    But George answered. He answered and answered! Her few words had lifted the lid of shyness. He suddenly began emptying his heart. A little embarrassed but more relieved, he told her about Bettina—and at the same time he explained in detail his plans for Renni.
    Mother Marie showed not the least surprise. She knew the sweetness and strength of George’s character. She could trust him. She had taken his silence and reserve exactly as she now took his full confidence—as a matter of course. She petted Renni. All she said was, “He’s so clever. If you keep on being patient, you two will manage it together.”
    Nothing more was said then of Bettina. But a few evenings later just before they went to bed, Mother Mariesuddenly remarked, “I’d like to know her.” George knew whom she meant.
    He consulted Bettina. Then he reported to his mother. “She can’t get up the courage to come.”
    Mother Marie said nothing. She thought she understood this gentle girl.

Chapter VIII
    T HE SWEET IDYLLIC LIFE GEORGE was leading curved toward exciting and even stormy events.
    There was the scene with Karl. There was the meeting with the man who had been cheated. But it was the arrival of the Russian family that stirred things up most.
    Once again George went to visit old Vogg. He was witness to a violent scene between the dog-breeder and Karl.
    As George went in, Vogg was saying, “You shall never have Pasha again. Here’s your money. We’re through with each other.” He spoke quietly but with suppressed, angry power. Pasha was lying abjectly on the floor. Karl began yelling at the top of his voice.
    â€œWe are not through, not by a long shot, not by a very long shot. I