her mind: This was Bandit, the dog who had been so rude to her in the alley so long ago! She tried to stand up, but collapsed. "Rest now, white wolf." He said. Everything dissolved into blackness.

Ania woke later to find Bandit and Fox smiling at her. She looked at Bandit. Something was wrong. He did not look so formidable and mean as he had in the alley. Suddenly Ania knew what it was. He was smiling. She opened her mouth to say something, but Fox said, "Ask questions later, Ania. You need to rest. Are you hungry?" Ania nodded, surprised at how hungry she really was. Sausages were brought to her by Bandit. She scarfed them down very quickly. Fox smilied and said samething to Bandit in a whisper. Then Bandit looked at Ania and said, "I think I need ter explain somethin' to you." Ania nodded slowly. He said, "I guess ya think I'm a mean and rude alley dog. Well, I ain't. I got a human and life's good. Oni and I had gotten in a fight that day. He told me 'bout you. I don't even 'member what that argument was about. I was in a bad mood, and I was actin' ugly. Do ya understand what I been tryin' ter tell ya." Ania nodded and smiled.

Ania stood up. She was tired and weak, but she did it. Fox, Bandit and Lulu cheered. Bandit took some sausages out of a pile in the bush. He laid them down a few feet from Ania. Lulu, however, jumped and scarfed them down as quick as a flash. "Those were for Ania, Lulu." Bandit growled. Then, for the first time in weeks, almost a month, Ania laughed aloud, and her eyed sparkled with joy.