Белый клык
The Call of Kind
Shehadneverforgivenhimthechicken-killingepisode,andpersistentlyheldtothebeliefthathisintentionswerebad. Shefoundhimguiltybeforetheact,andtreatedhimaccordingly. Shebecameapesttohim,likeapolicemanfollowinghimaroundthestableandthehounds,and,ifheevensomuchasglancedcuriouslyatapigeonorchicken,burstingintoanoutcryofindignationandwrath. Hisfavouritewayofignoringherwastoliedown,withhisheadonhisfore-paws,andpretendsleep. Thisalwaysdumfoundedandsilencedher.
WiththeexceptionofCollie,allthingswentwellwithWhiteFang. Hehadlearnedcontrolandpoise,andheknewthelaw. Heachievedastaidness,andcalmness,andphilosophictolerance. Henolongerlivedinahostileenvironment. Dangerandhurtanddeathdidnotlurkeverywhereabouthim. Intime,theunknown,asathingofterrorandmenaceeverimpending,fadedaway. Lifewassoftandeasy. Itflowedalongsmoothly,andneitherfearnorfoelurkedbytheway.
Hemissedthesnowwithoutbeingawareofit. "Anundulylongsummer,"wouldhavebeenhisthoughthadhethoughtaboutit; asitwas,hemerelymissedthesnowinavague,subconsciousway. Inthesamefashion,especiallyintheheatofsummerwhenhesufferedfromthesun,heexperiencedfaintlongingsfortheNorthland. Theironlyeffectuponhim,however,wastomakehimuneasyandrestlesswithouthisknowingwhatwasthematter.
WhiteFanghadneverbeenverydemonstrative. Beyondhissnugglingandthethrowingofacrooningnoteintohislove-growl,hehadnowayofexpressinghislove. Yetitwasgivenhimtodiscoverathirdway. Hehadalwaysbeensusceptibletothelaughterofthegods. Laughterhadaffectedhimwithmadness,madehimfranticwithrage.
