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Keene was impressed。 〃He really is a hero！〃
Nora sensed that the stories about Einstein had so pletely won the vet Over that； if he did spot the tattoo and knew what it meant； he might conceivably put it out of his mind and might let them go in peace once Einstein was recovered。 If Einstein recovered。
But as they were gathering up the dishes； Keene said； 〃Sam； I've been wondering why your wife calls you 'Travis。'
They were prepared for this。 Since assuming new identities； they had decided that it was easier and safer for Nora to continue calling him Travis； rather than trying to use Sam all the time and then； at some crucial moment； slipping up。 They could claim that Travis was a nickname she'd given him； that the origin was a private joke； with winks at each other and foolish grins； they could imply there was something sexual about it； something much too embarrassing to explain further。 That was how they handled Keene's question； but they were in no mood to wink and grin foolishly with any conviction； so Nora was not sure they carried it off。 In fact she thought their nervous and inept performance might increase Keene's suspicions if he had any。
Just before afternoon office hours were to begin； Keene received a call from his assistant； who'd had a headache when she had gone to lunch； and who now reported that the headache had been plicated by an upset stomach。 The vet was left to handle his patients alone； so Travis quickly volunteered his and Nora's services。
〃We've got no veterinary training； of course。 But we can handle any manual labor involved。〃
〃Sure； 〃Nora agreed； 〃and between us we've got one pretty good brain。 We could do just about anything else you showed us how to do。〃
They spent the afternoon restraining recalcitrant cats and dogs and parrots and all sorts of other animals while Jim Keene treated them。 There were bandages to be laid out； medicines to be retrieved from the cabinets； instruments to be washed and sterilized； fees to be collected and receipts written。 Some pets； afflicted with vomiting and diarrhea； left messes to be cleaned up； but Travis and Nora tended to those unpleasantnesses as unplainingly and unhesitatingly as they performed other tasks。
They had two motives； the first of which was that； by assisting Keene； they had a chance to be in the surgery with Einstein throughout the afternoon。 Between chores； they stole a few moments to pet the retriever； speak a few encouraging words to him； and reassure themselves that he was getting no worse。 The downside of being around Einstein continuously was that they could see； to their dismay； that he did not seem to be getting any better； either。
Their other purpose was to further ingratiate themselves with the vet； to give him a reason to be beholden to them； so he would not reconsider his decision to allow them to stay the night。
The patient load was far greater than usual； Keene said； and they were not able to close the office until after six o'clock。 Weariness…and the labor they
shared…generated a warm feeling of camaraderie。 As they made and ate dinner together； Jim Keene entertained them with a treasure of amusing animal stories culled from his experiences； and they were almost as fortable and friendly as they would have been if they had known the vet for months instead of less than one day。
Keene prepared the guest bedroom for them； and provided a few blankets with which to make a crude bed on the floor of the surgery。 Travis and Nora would sleep in the real bed in shifts； each spending half the night on the floor with Einstein。
Travis had the first shift； from ten o'clock until three in the morning。 Only one light was left on in the far corner of the surgery； and Travis alternately sat and stretched out on the piled blankets in the shadows where Einstein lay。
Sometimes； Einstein slept； and the sound of his breathing was more normal； less frightening。 But sometimes he was awake； and his respiration was horribly labored； and he whimpered in pain and…Travis somehow knew…in fear。 When Einstein was awake； Travis talked to him； reminiscing about experiences they had shared； the many good moments and happy times over the past six months； and the retriever seemed to be at least slightly soothed by Travis's voice。
Unable to move at all； the dog was of necessity incontinent。 A couple of times he peed on the plastic…covered mattress。 With no distaste whatsoever； with the same tenderness and passion a father might show in caring for a gravely ill child； Travis cleaned up。 In a curious way； Travis was even pleased by the mess because； every time Einstein peed； it was proof that he still lived； still functioned； in some ways； as normally as ever。
Rainsqualls came and went during the night。 The sound of rain on the roof was mournful； like funeral drums。
Twice during the first shift； Jim Keene appeared in pajamas and a robe。 The first time； he examined Einstein carefully and changed his IV bottle。 Later； he administered an injection after the examination。 On both occasions； he assured Travis that right now they did not have to see signs of improvement to be encouraged； right now； it was good enough that there were no indications of deterioration in the dog's condition。
Frequently during the night； Travis wandered to the other end of the surgery and read the words of a simply framed scroll that hung above the scrub sink：
TRIBUTE TO A DOG
The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world； the one that never deserts him； the one that never proves Ungrateful or treacherous； is his dog。 A man's dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty； in health and in sickness。 He will sleep on the cold ground； where the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely； if only he may be near his master's side。 He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer； he will lick the wounds and sores that e in encounter with the roughness of the world。 He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince。 When all other friends desert； he remains。 When riches take wing and reputation falls to pieces； he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens。
…Senator George Vest； 1870
Each time he read the tribute； Travis was filled anew with wonder at Einstein's existence。 What fantasy of children was more mon than that their dogs were fully as perceptive and wise and clever as any adult？ What gift from God would more delight a young mind than to have the family dog prove able to municate on a human level and to share triumphs and tragedies with full understanding of their meaning and importance？ What miracle could bring more joy； more respect for the mysteries of nature； more sheer exuberance over the unanticipated wonders of life？ Somehow； in the very idea of a dog's personality and human intelligence bined in a single creature； one had a hope of a species at once as gifted as humankind but more noble and worthy。 And what fantasy of adults was more mon than that； one day； another intelligent species would be found to share the vast； cold universe and； by sharing it； would at last provide some relief from our race's unspeakable loneliness and sense of quie