Finally Victoria collapsed in a laughing heap on the grass and Prince sank down next to her, his long pink tongue lolling loosely from between his powerful jaws.

"Well, watcha been up to lately?" Ben asked to make conversation.

"Oh, nothing much," his young friend answered vaguely. A slight cloud seemed to come over her beautiful face and then she asked abruptly. "Mr. Wright, do you ever get lonely here?"

The question floored Ben for a moment and he almost began to laugh. Lonely? God, if she only knew.

"Oh, maybe a little," he lied. "But then, I've always got Prince, and he's the best company in the world. Next to you, of course," he gallantly added.

"You don't have to say that, Mr. Wright," the young blonde answered with a pleased smile. "I think I'd be about the happiest person in the world if I had Prince."

The big dog looked quizzically at both of his human companions as he heard them say his name. He was very content at the moment, being in the company of the two persons he loved most.

"Well, I don't know about that," Ben replied, scratching his head as if he were doubtful about the dog. "He can be a lot of trouble. Eats a lot of food, more than I do, and he stays out to all hours chasing after lady dogs. Sometimes I think he's a bad influence on my morals."

"Sounds like me and my roommate," Victoria said grimly.

"You mean you're a bad influence on her morals?" Ben asked, feigning shock.

"Oh, no," the young girl said in alarm and then saw that Ben was kidding her. She and her old friend often played little word games with each other and Victoria found as usual that it was making her feel better.

"Never mind," she amended. "I'm just an old wallflower making jealous sounds."