Wait till I whistle for Don . May as well take him with us . '' Curtis whistled accordingly , but Don , his handsome Newfoundland dog , did not appear . After calling and whistling about the yard and barns for several minutes , Curtis turned away disappointedly . `` He ca n't be anywhere around . It is very strange . Don never used to go away from home without me , but lately he has been missing several times , and twice last week he was n't here in the morning and did n't turn up until midday . '' `` I 'd keep him shut up until I broke him of the habit of playing truant , if I were you , '' said Will , as they turned into the lane . `` Don hates to be shut up , howls all the time so mournfully that I ca n't stand it , '' responded Curtis . `` Well , '' said Will , hesitatingly , `` maybe that would be better after all than letting him stray away with other dogs who may teach him bad habits . I saw Don myself one evening last week ambling down the Harbour road with that big brown dog of Sam Ventnor 's . Ventnor 's dog is beginning to have a bad reputation , you know . There have been several sheep worried lately , and -- '' `` Don would n't touch a sheep ! '' interrupted Curtis hotly . `` I daresay not , not yet . But Ventnor 's dog is under suspicion , and if Don runs with him he 'll learn the trick sure as preaching . The farmers are growling a good bit already , and if they hear of Don and Ventnor 's dog going about in company , they 'll put it on them both . Better keep Don shut up awhile , let him howl as he likes . '' `` I believe I will , '' said Curtis soberly . `` I do n't want Don to fall under suspicion of sheep-worrying , though I 'm sure he would never do it .
Anyhow , I do n't XXXXX him to run with Ventnor 's dog .
Wait ambling appear going keep know runs stray want whistle