I do n't say but that the dog is a good dog . But he is of no use to us , and twenty dollars will come in mighty handy just now . He 's worth that to Bob , for he is a good watch dog , so we 've both made a fair bargain . '' Nothing more was said about Ernest or Laddie . I had taken no part in the discussion , for I felt no great interest in the matter . Laddie was a nice dog ; Ernest was a quiet , inoffensive little fellow , five years younger than myself ; that was all I thought about either of them . I was spending my vacation at Uncle Richard 's farm on the Nova Scotian Bay of Fundy shore . I was a great favourite with Uncle Richard , partly because he had been much attached to my mother , his only sister , partly because of my strong resemblance to his only son , who had died several years before . Uncle Richard was a stern , undemonstrative man , but I knew that he entertained a deep and real affection for me , and I always enjoyed my vacation sojourns at his place . `` What are you going to do this afternoon , Ned ? '' he asked , after the disturbance caused by Ernest 's outbreak had quieted down . `` I think I 'll row out to Island Rock , '' I replied . `` I want to take some views of the shore from it . '' Uncle Richard nodded . He was much interested in my new camera . `` If you 're on it about four o'clock , you 'll get a fine view of the ` Hole in the Wall ' when the sun begins to shine on the water through it , '' he said . `` I 've often thought it would make a handsome picture . '' `` After I 've finished taking the pictures , I think I 'll go down shore to Uncle Adam 's and stay all night , '' I said . `` Jim 's dark room is more convenient than mine , and he has some pictures he is going to develop tonight , too . '' I started for the shore about two o'clock .
Ernest was sitting on the woodpile as I passed through the yard , with his arms XXXXX Laddie 's neck and his face buried in Laddie 's curly hair .
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