Read Online The Genie of Sutton Place by George Selden - Free Book Online

see me, I guess, because he was grinning. “Thank goodness we’re in time!” He knew I wouldn’t let him down.
    â€œWoof,” said Sam, in that special husky woof that he woofs only to me.
    I was just about to ask Dooley to magic a hole in the fence, so Sam could get out, when a man appeared from one of the buildings in the back. I have never liked the idea of dogcatchers in general, but this was the first one I’d ever met—and he was really bad news! As big as Frankenstein’s monster, and you could tell from that gleam in his eye that he really enjoyed his work.
    â€œWhaddaya want here?” he barked at us. Except dogs sometimes sound nice when they bark. Men don’t. “Get away from that fence! You’re makin’ the animals nervous.”
    â€œI want my dog,” I said. “This is him. This is Sam.”
    â€œGot a license? Got a permit?”
    â€œSam has a license—”
    â€œGot authorization? I picked this animal up this mornin’—with specific instructions. Now get outta here!” He dragged Sam off to a bunch of dogs that were cowering against one wall. They must have been the condemned group for that day.
    Behind me Dooley softly asked, “Master, shall I make that man vanish?—and I mean vanish! Not like Maurice.”
    â€œNo, no. It’s not his fault he’s a creep,” I said. “At least, don’t evaporate him yet.” The man had gone into the building. “Gee, I don’t know what to do. Even if you get Sam out, I can’t bring him home again.”
    â€œWell, master,” said Dooley, “’tis my opinion that we should do something. I fear that the creep has evil designs on Sam.” His forehead puckered up a minute. And then, just as if it weren’t a revolutionary solution, he came up with the answer. “Would Aunt Lucy object to Sam if he were not a dog?”
    I didn’t get him at first. “What else could he be?”
    â€œOh—an insect, a fish—a man.”
    â€œCould you make him a man —?”
    â€œWith a flicker of these fingertips.”
    â€œBut Dooley—” talk about having your mind blown—“a man! ”
    â€œI know, little master. But in the sight of these eyes—which are immortal—the difference between an ant and a man is less than human pride might wish.”
    A man!… “Would it hurt?” I asked.
    â€œThere is pain in being human, but the transformation would cause him none.”
    â€œHe might not like me any more—”
    â€œI think he will love you, master—though men are less faithful than dogs.”
    â€œBut how long would he stay a man?”
    â€œAs long as my spell held him.” Just like that! So matter-of-factly. “Lo, master, the creep comes again.”
    The dogcatcher had come out of that building and was heading for a dismal little blockhouse off in one corner of the yard. The condemned group knew what was coming, too. They were barking hysterically and running around in circles, in fear.
    â€œDo it, Dooley!” I said. The man’s back was turned as he unlocked the door. “Oh, do it—please!”
    The Genie lifted his right hand, and from the depths of his chest, he sort of sang, “Oh, simple, soulless beast named Sam—I call thee to the dubious estate— of man !”

7
    Sam
    â€œPut clothes on him!” I was so shocked I didn’t even have time to be amazed.
    Because there he was. Naked as a jaybird! Standing amid all those barking dogs, with a look on his face as if he had just dropped down from another planet. Which I suppose, in a way, he had. And it’s lucky we live in a time of hair, because he was the whiskeriest man I ever saw.
    Dooley made another pass with his right hand, and just-like-that Sam had shoes, brown slacks, a white shirt, and a mottled brown sport jacket on. I haven’t described Sam the dog to