Old Master Black watched Great General run off as if he had been given an order and showed no interest in where the dog went; checking the time, his appointment for a chess game had come, so he left James Black and Jane Sampson alone in the house and departed.
When Jane saw Old Master Black leave, she truly heaved a sigh of relief, even shrugging her shoulders, no longer sitting up straight but slumping like a child on their first day of kindergarten.
James glanced at Jane's small movements, a playful smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He was about to ask if she wanted another cup of tea when, all of a sudden, she stood up, and the next second, Great General bounded into her arms with something in his mouth.
James could see only Great General's large body, but not Jane's face; however, from her voice and the way she praised Great General, it seemed the dog had done something particularly praiseworthy.
