`` Curtis , '' called his uncle , `` come here . '' As Curtis crossed the yard , Don came bounding down the slope from the house to meet him . He put his hand on the dog 's big head and the two of them walked slowly to the barn . Old Paul included them both in a vindictive scowl . `` Curtis , '' said his uncle gravely , `` here 's a bad business . Mr. Stockton tells me that your dog has been worrying his sheep . '' `` It 's a -- '' began Curtis angrily . Then he checked himself and went on more calmly . `` That ca n't be so , Mr. Stockton . My dog would not harm anything . '' `` He killed or helped to kill six of the finest sheep in my flock ! '' retorted old Paul . `` What proof have you of it ? '' demanded Curtis , trying to keep his anger within bounds . `` Abner Peck saw your dog and Ventnor 's running together through my sheep pasture at sundown on Tuesday evening , '' answered old Paul . `` Wednesday morning I found this in the corner of the pasture where the sheep were worried . Your uncle admits that it was tied around your dog 's neck on Tuesday . '' And old Paul held out triumphantly a faded red ribbon . Curtis recognized it at a glance . It was the ribbon his little cousin , Lena , had tied around Don 's neck Tuesday afternoon .
He remembered how they had laughed at the effect of that frivolous red collar and bow on XXXXX 's massive body .
Curtis Don Lena Paul Peck Stockton Ventnor afternoon evening morning