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Full download Business Analytics 1st Edition Evans Test Bank all chapter 2024 pdf
Full download Business Analytics 1st Edition Evans Test Bank all chapter 2024 pdf
Full download Business Analytics 1st Edition Evans Test Bank all chapter 2024 pdf
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Business Analytics (Evans)
Chapter 9 Regression Analysis
1
Copyright © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall
The following table exhibits the age of antique furniture and the corresponding prices. Use the
table to answer the following question(s). (Hint: Use scatter diagram and the Excel Trendline
tool where necessary).
Number Value
of years ($)
78 930
91 1010
83 970
159 1950
134 1610
210 2880
88 980
178 2010
124 1370
72 900
3) What is the relationship between the age of the furniture and their values?
A) Nonlinear
B) Linear
C) Curvilinear
D) No relationship
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Blooms: Apply
AACSB: Analytic Skills
Topic: Simple Linear Regression
LO1: Use a scatter chart to identify the type of relationship between two variables.
LO2: Identify the components of simple linear regression models and discuss their applications
4) Which of the following equations correctly expresses the relationship between the two
variables?
A) Value = (-181.16) + 13.493 × Number of years
B) Number of years = Value / 12.537
C) Value = (459.34 / Number of years) × 4.536
D) Number of years = (17.538 × Value) / (-157.49)
Answer: A
Diff: 3
Blooms: Apply
AACSB: Analytic Skills
Topic: Simple Linear Regression
LO1: Use the Excel Trendline tool to find the best-fitting simple linear regression model.
LO2: Identify the components of simple linear regression models and discuss their applications
2
Copyright © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall
5) What is the expected value for a 90 year-old piece of furniture?
A) $1002.45
B) $997.98
C) $934.56
D) $1033.21
Answer: D
Diff: 3
Blooms: Apply
AACSB: Analytic Skills
Topic: Simple Linear Regression
LO1: Use the Excel Trendline tool to find the best-fitting simple linear regression model.
LO2: Identify the components of simple linear regression models and discuss their applications
6) In a linear relationship, which of the following accounts for the many possible values of the
dependent variable that vary around the mean?
A) the coefficient of the dependent variable X
B) the value of the intercept ß0
C) the random error term ε
D) the standard error SYX
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Blooms: Remember
Topic: Simple Linear Regression
LO1: Explain how least-squares regression finds the best-fitting regression model.
LO2: Identify the components of simple linear regression models and discuss their applications
7) Which of the following is true about the observed errors associated with estimating the value
of the dependent variable using the regression line?
A) They are the horizontal distances between slopes and y-intercepts.
B) The errors are also referred to as critical values.
C) They are always maximized by the regression lines.
D) The errors can be negative or positive.
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Blooms: Understand
Topic: Simple Linear Regression
LO1: Explain how least-squares regression finds the best-fitting regression model.
LO2: Identify the components of simple linear regression models and discuss their applications
3
Copyright © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall
8) For an independent variable Y, the error associated with the ith observation is:
A) ei = Yi - Ŷi
B) Yi = (ei)2 - Ŷi
C) (Ŷi)2 ei = Yi
D) ei = (Yi + Ŷi)2
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Blooms: Remember
Topic: Simple Linear Regression
LO1: Explain how least-squares regression finds the best-fitting regression model.
LO2: Identify the components of simple linear regression models and discuss their applications
Following is an extract from the database of a construction company. The table shows the height
of walls in feet and the cost of raising them. The estimated simple linear regression equation is
given as Ŷ = b0 + b1X. (Hint: Use Excel functions).
Height
(ft) Cost ($)
4 670
3 430
7 810
9 1100
6 790
8 880
5 760
11 1200
4
Copyright © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall
10) What is the value of the coefficient b1?
A) 86.81704
B) 254.8371
C) 0.010697
D) -2.14625
Answer: A
Diff: 3
Blooms: Apply
AACSB: Analytic Skills
Topic: Simple Linear Regression
LO1: Use Excel functions to find least-squares regression coefficients.
LO2: Identify the components of simple linear regression models and discuss their applications
12) Which of the following statements is true when using the Excel Regression tool?
A) The range for the independent variable values must be specified in the box for the Input Y
Range.
B) Checking the option Constant is Zero forces the intercept to zero.
C) The Regression tool can be found in the Tools tab under Insert group.
D) Adding an intercept term reduces the analysis' fit to the data.
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Blooms: Understand
Topic: Simple Linear Regression
LO1: Use the Excel Regression tool for both single and multiple linear regressions.
LO2: Identify the components of simple linear regression models and discuss their applications
5
Copyright © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall
13) Which of the following generates a scatter chart in Excel with the values predicted by the
regression model included?
A) Trendline
B) Residual Plots
C) R Square
D) Line Fit Plots
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Blooms: Remember
Topic: Simple Linear Regression
LO1: Use the Excel Regression tool for both single and multiple linear regressions.
LO2: Identify the components of simple linear regression models and discuss their applications
6
Copyright © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall
16) For a simple linear regression model, significance of regression is:
A) a measure of how well the regression line fits the data.
B) a hypothesis test of whether the regression coefficient ß1 is zero.
C) a statistic that modifies the value of R2 by incorporating the sample size and the number of
explanatory variables in the model.
D) the variability of the observed Y-values from the predicted values.
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Blooms: Remember
Topic: Simple Linear Regression
LO1: Interpret significance of regression from the Excel Regression tool output.
LO2: Identify the components of simple linear regression models and discuss their applications
17) Which of the following Excel functions is applied to test for significance of regression?
A) COVAR
B) ANOVA
C) SINH
D) TREND
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Blooms: Remember
Topic: Simple Linear Regression
LO1: Interpret significance of regression from the Excel Regression tool output.
LO2: Identify the components of simple linear regression models and discuss their applications
18) While testing hypotheses for regression coefficients, the t-test for the slope is expressed as:
A) t =
B) t =
C) t =
D) t =
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Blooms: Remember
Topic: Simple Linear Regression
LO1: Draw conclusions for tests of hypotheses about regression coefficients.
LO2: Identify the components of simple linear regression models and discuss their applications
7
Copyright © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall
19) ________ provide information about the unknown values of the true regression coefficients,
accounting for sampling error.
A) Standard errors
B) Confidence intervals
C) Adjusted R Squares
D) P-values
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Blooms: Remember
Topic: Simple Linear Regression
LO1: Interpret confidence intervals for regression coefficients
LO2: Identify the components of simple linear regression models and discuss their applications
21) A(n) ________ is an extreme value that is different from the rest of the data.
A) critical value
B) standard error
C) expected value
D) outlier
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Blooms: Remember
Topic: Residual Analysis and Regression Assumptions
LO1: Calculate standard residuals.
LO2: Identify the components of simple linear regression models and discuss their applications
8
Copyright © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall
22) While checking for linearity by examining the residual plot, the residuals must:
A) exhibit a linear trend.
B) form a parabolic shape.
C) be randomly scattered.
D) be below the x-axis.
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Blooms: Remember
Topic: Residual Analysis and Regression Assumptions
LO1: Calculate standard residuals.
LO2: Identify the components of simple linear regression models and discuss their applications
23) Which of the following is true when testing for normality of errors?
A) Normality is verified by inspecting for a bell-shaped distribution.
B) It is easier to evaluate normality with small sample sizes.
C) A scatter diagram of the whole data is always used to verify normality.
D) Errors are normally distributed when the scatter diagram shows a straight-line distribution.
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Blooms: Remember
Topic: Residual Analysis and Regression Assumptions
LO1: List the assumptions of regression analysis and describe methods to verify them.
LO2: Identify the components of simple linear regression models and discuss their applications
24) ________ means that the variation about the regression line is constant for all values of the
independent variable.
A) Autocorrelation
B) Normality of errors
C) Homoscedasticity
D) Linearity
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Blooms: Remember
Topic: Residual Analysis and Regression Assumptions
LO1: List the assumptions of regression analysis and describe methods to verify them.
LO2: Identify the components of simple linear regression models and discuss their applications
9
Copyright © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall
25) Which of the following helps in evaluation of autocorrelation?
A) Breusch-Pagan test
B) Durbin-Watson statistic
C) Hosmer-Lemeshow test
D) Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel statistics
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Blooms: Remember
Topic: Residual Analysis and Regression Assumptions
LO1: List the assumptions of regression analysis and describe methods to verify them.
LO2: Identify the components of simple linear regression models and discuss their applications
10
Copyright © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall
28) When using the t-statistic in multiple regression to determine if a variable should be
removed:
A) R2 will increase if the variable is removed.
B) if |t| > 1, the standard error will decrease.
C) a large number of independent variables is convenient.
D) if |t| < 1, the standard error will increase.
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Blooms: Understand
Topic: Building Good Regression Models
LO1: Apply a systematic approach to build good regression models.
LO2: Develop and test a multiple regression model
29) When two or more independent variables in the same regression model can predict each
other better than the dependent variable, the condition is referred to as ________.
A) autocorrelation
B) heteroscedasticity
C) multicollinearity
D) homoscedasticity
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Blooms: Remember
Topic: Building Good Regression Models
LO1: Explain the importance of understanding multicollinearity in regression models.
LO2: Develop and test a multiple regression model
11
Copyright © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall
31) Categorical variables that have been coded are called ________.
A) limited dependent variables
B) dummy variables
C) instrumental variables
D) observable variables
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Blooms: Remember
Topic: Regression with Categorical Independent Variables
LO1: Build regression models for categorical data using dummy variables.
LO2: Develop and test a multiple regression model
33) How many additional dummy variables are required if a categorical variable has 4 levels?
A) 2
B) 3
C) 1
D) 4
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Blooms: Understand
Topic: Regression with Categorical Independent Variables
LO1: Build regression models for categorical data using dummy variables.
LO2: Develop and test a multiple regression model
12
Copyright © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall
34) When a scatter chart of data shows a nonlinear relationship, the nonlinear model can be
expressed as:
A) Y = β0 + β1X + β2X2 + ε
B) Y = β0 + β1X + (β2X)2 + ε
C) Y = β0 + β1X + β2X
D) Y = β0 + β1X2 + β2X2 + ε
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Blooms: Remember
Topic: Regression Models with Nonlinear Terms
LO1: Identify when curvilinear regression models are more appropriate than linear models.
LO2: Develop and test a multiple regression model
35) In a curvilinear regression model, the ________ represents the curvilinear effect.
A) intercept
B) error term
C) slope
D) R Square
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Blooms: Remember
Topic: Regression Models with Nonlinear Terms
LO1: Identify when curvilinear regression models are more appropriate than linear models.
LO2: Develop and test a multiple regression model
13
Copyright © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall
Use the data given below to answer the following question(s).
Following is an extract from a firm's database detailing the number of hours spent on the job by
employees and their corresponding pay. (Note: Assume a level of significance of 0.05 wherever
necessary.)
Hours spent
on the job Salary ($)
4 340
12 850
7 570
5 470
11 820
8 610
9 630
13 900
10 800
6 480
36) Construct a scatter diagram and use the Excel Trendline tool to find the best-fitting simple
linear regression model.
Answer:
Diff: 2
Blooms: Apply
AACSB: Analytic Skills
Topic: Simple Linear Regression
LO1: Use a scatter chart to identify the type of relationship between two variables. Use the
Excel Trendline tool to find the best-fitting simple linear regression model.
LO2: Identify the components of simple linear regression models and discuss their applications
14
Copyright © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall
37) Is the hours spent on the job a statistically significant variable in explaining the variation in
pay of employees? (Hint: Use Regression tool).
Answer: Hypothesis test for significance of regression:
H0 : β1 = 0
H1 : β1 ≠ 0
where, β1 is the slope of the intercept.
Significance F, that is, the p-value associated with the hypothesis test is essentially zero (2.525 ×
10-7). Therefore, assuming a level of significance of 0.05, the null hypothesis must be rejected
and conclude that the slope–the coefficient for number of hours spent on the job–is not zero. This
means that work hours is a statistically significant variable in explaining the variation in
employee pay.
Diff: 3
Blooms: Apply
AACSB: Analytic Skills
Topic: Simple Linear Regression
LO1: Interpret significance of regression from the Excel Regression tool output.
LO2: Identify the components of simple linear regression models and discuss their applications
Because the P-value for both coefficients is essentially zero, it can be concluded that neither
coefficient is statistically equal to zero.
Diff: 3
Blooms: Apply
AACSB: Analytic Skills
Topic: Simple Linear Regression
LO1: Draw conclusions for tests of hypotheses about regression coefficients.
LO2: Identify the components of simple linear regression models and discuss their applications
15
Copyright © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall
39) Interpret the confidence intervals.
Answer: A 95% confidence interval for the intercept is [46.15, 206.22]. Similarly, a 95%
confidence interval for the slope is [52.35, 70.19]. Although the regression model is Ŷ = 126.18
+ 61.273X, the confidence intervals suggest a bit of uncertainty about predictions using the
model. Although, it can be estimated that an employee who spent 10.5 hours on the job will
receive a pay of 126.18 + (61.273 × 10.5) = $769.5465, if the true parameters are at the extremes
of the confidence intervals, the estimate might be as low as 46.15 + (52.35 × 10.5) = $595.825 or
as high as 206.22 + (70.19 × 10.5) = $943.215.
Diff: 3
Blooms: Apply
AACSB: Analytic Skills
Topic: Simple Linear Regression
LO1: Interpret confidence intervals for regression coefficients
LO2: Identify the components of simple linear regression models and discuss their applications
42) Creating a scatter chart with an added trendline is visually superior to the scatter chart
generated by line fit plots.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Blooms: Remember
Topic: Simple Linear Regression
LO1: Use a scatter chart to identify the type of relationship between two variables.
LO2: Identify the components of simple linear regression models and discuss their applications
16
Copyright © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall
43) The standard error may be assumed to be large if the data are clustered close to the
regression line.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1
Blooms: Remember
Topic: Simple Linear Regression
LO1: Interpret the regression statistics of the Excel Regression tool.
LO2: Identify the components of simple linear regression models and discuss their applications
44) An increase in adjusted R2 indicates that the regression model has improved.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Blooms: Remember
Topic: Building Good Regression Models
LO1: Interpret the regression statistics of the Excel Regression tool.
LO2: Develop and test a multiple regression model
45) A good regression model has the fewest number of explanatory variables providing an
adequate interpretation of the dependent variable.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Blooms: Remember
Topic: Building Good Regression Models
LO1: Apply a systematic approach to build good regression models.
LO2: Develop and test a multiple regression model
46) Why is regression analysis necessary in business? What categories of regression models are
used?
Answer: Regression analysis is a tool for building statistical models that characterize
relationships among a dependent variable and one or more independent variables, all of which
are numerical. Two broad categories of regression models are used often in business settings: (1)
regression models of cross-sectional data and (2) regression models of time-series data, in which
the independent variables are time, or some function of time, and the focus is on predicting the
future. Time-series regression is an important tool in forecasting.
Diff: 2
Blooms: Remember
Topic: Simple Linear Regression
LO1: Explain the purpose of regression analysis and provide examples in business.
LO2: Identify the components of simple linear regression models and discuss their applications
17
Copyright © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall
47) While conducting regression analysis, how is constructing a normal probability plot useful?
Answer: While conducting regressions analysis using the Excel Regression tool, a normal
probability plot for the dependent variable may be chosen to be constructed. It transforms the
cumulative probability scale (vertical axis) so that the graph of the cumulative normal
distribution is a straight line. The closer the points are to a straight line, the better the fit to a
normal distribution.
Diff: 2
Blooms: Understand
Topic: Simple Linear Regression
LO1: Use the Excel Regression tool for both single and multiple linear regressions.
LO2: Identify the components of simple linear regression models and discuss their applications
48) Briefly explain the assumptions on which the statistical hypothesis tests associated with
regression analysis are predicated.
Answer: The statistical hypothesis tests associated with regression analysis are predicated on
some key assumptions about the data.
(1) Linearity: This is usually checked by examining a scatter diagram of the data or examining
the residual plot. If the model is appropriate, then the residuals should appear to be randomly
scattered about zero, with no apparent pattern.
(2) Normality of errors: Regression analysis assumes that the errors for each individual value of
X are normally distributed, with a mean of zero.
(3) Homoscedasticity: This means that the variation about the regression line is constant for all
values of the independent variable.
(4) Independence of errors: Residuals should be independent for each value of the independent
variable.
Diff: 1
Blooms: Remember
Topic: Residual Analysis and Regression Assumptions
LO1: List the assumptions of regression analysis and describe methods to verify them.
LO2: Identify the components of simple linear regression models and discuss their applications
49) List the systematic approach to building good multiple regression models.
Answer:
(1) Construct a model with all available independent variables. Check for significance of the
independent variables by examining the p-values.
(2) Identify the independent variable having the largest p-value that exceeds the chosen level of
significance.
(3) Remove the variable identified in step 2 from the model and evaluate adjusted R2. (Don't
remove all variables with p-values that exceed α at the same time, but remove only one at a
time.)
(4) Continue until all variables are significant.
Diff: 1
Blooms: Remember
Topic: Building Good Regression Models
LO1: Apply a systematic approach to build good regression models.
LO2: Develop and test a multiple regression model
18
Copyright © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall
50) Explain the concept of curvilinear regression model.
Answer: Linear regression models are not appropriate for every situation. A scatter chart of the
data might show a nonlinear relationship, or the residuals for a linear fit might result in a
nonlinear pattern. In such cases, a nonlinear model is proposed to explain the relationship. For
instance, a second-order polynomial model would be:
Y = β0 + β1X + β2X2 + ε
Sometimes this is called a curvilinear regression model. In this model, β1 represents the linear
effect of X on Y, and β2 represents the curvilinear effect. However, although this model appears
to be quite different from ordinary linear regression models, it is still linear in the parameters. In
other words, all terms are a product of a beta coefficient and some function of the data, which are
simply numerical values. In such cases least squares can still be applied to estimate the
regression coefficients.
Diff: 2
Blooms: Understand
Topic: Regression Models with Nonlinear Terms
LO1: Identify when curvilinear regression models are more appropriate than linear models.
LO2: Develop and test a multiple regression model
19
Copyright © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall
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The small boy knelt at his mother’s bedside, his little face against
hers. Softly he kissed the pale cheek. The boy’s heart had become a
man’s. He tried by touch and look to speak his love, his sympathy,
his admiration. His mother smiled at him as she soothed the baby,
glad to be free from pain. But presently the shouts and disorder of
the departing townspeople reached her ears. She stirred uneasily.
Fear crept into her eyes. Passionately she strained her little one to
her.
“How soon, little son, how soon?”
The lad, absorbed in his mother, had forgotten the Germans. With
a start he realized the danger. His new-born manhood took
command. His father was at the front. He must protect his mother
and tiny sister. His mother was too ill to move, but they ought to get
away. Who had a wagon? He hurried to the window, but already
even the stragglers were far down the road. All but three of the
horses had been sent to the front. Those three were now out of sight
with their overloaded wagons. The boy stood stupefied and helpless.
The woman on the bed stirred.
“My son,” she called. “My son!”
He went to her.
“You must leave me and go on.”
“I can’t, mother.”
The woman drew the boy down beside her. She knew the struggle
to come. How could she make him understand that his life and the
baby’s meant more to her than her own? Lovingly she stroked the
soft cheek. It was a grave, determined little face with very steady
eyes.
“Son, dear, think of little sister. The Germans won’t bother with
babies. There isn’t any milk. Mother hasn’t any for her. You must
take baby in your strong little arms and run—run with her right out of
this land into Holland.”
But he could not be persuaded. The mother understood that love
and a sense of duty held him. She gathered the baby in her arms
and tried to rise, but the overtaxed heart failed, and she fell back
half-fainting. The boy brought water and bathed her head until the
tired eyes opened.
“Little son, it will kill mother if you don’t go.”
The boy’s shoulders shook. He knelt by the bed. A sob broke from
him. Then there came the faint, far-distant call of the bugle.
Frantically the mother gathered up her baby and held it out to the
boy.
“For mother’s sake, son, for mother.”
In a flash the boy understood. His mother had risked her life for
the tiny sister. She wanted the baby saved more than anything else
in the world. He dashed the tears from his eyes. He wound his arms
about his mother in a long, passionate embrace.
“I’ll take her, mother; I’ll get her there safely.”
The bugle grew louder. Through the open window on the far-
distant road could be seen a cloud of dust. There was not a moment
to lose. Stooping, the boy caught up the red, squirming baby. Very
tenderly he placed the little body against his breast and buttoned his
coat over his burden.
The sound of marching feet could now be heard. Swiftly he ran to
the door. As he reached the threshold he turned. His mother, her
eyes shining with love and hope, was waving a last good-by. Down
the stairs, out of the back door, and across the fields sped the child.
Over grass and across streams flew the sure little feet. His heart
tugged fiercely to go back, but that look in his mother’s face
sustained him.
He knew the road to Holland. It was straight to the north; but he
kept to the fields. He didn’t want the baby discovered. Mile after mile,
through hour after hour, he pushed on, until twilight came. He found
a little spring and drank thirstily. Then he moistened the baby’s
mouth. The little creature was very good. Occasionally she uttered a
feeble cry, but most of the time she slept. The boy was intensely
weary. His feet ached. He sat down under a great tree and leaned
against it. Was it right to keep a baby out all night? Ought he to go to
some farmhouse? If he did, would the people take baby away? His
mother had said, “Run straight to Holland.” But Holland was twenty
miles away. He opened his coat and looked at the tiny creature. She
slept peacefully.
The night was very warm. He decided to remain where he was. It
had grown dark. The trees and bushes loomed big. His heart beat
quickly. He was glad of the warm, soft, live little creature in his arms.
He had come on this journey for his mother, but suddenly his boy’s
heart opened to the tiny, clinging thing at his breast. His little hand
stroked the baby tenderly. Then he stooped, and softly his lips
touched the red, wrinkled face. Presently his little body relaxed, and
he slept. He had walked eight miles. Through the long night the deep
sleep of exhaustion held him. He lay quite motionless, head and
shoulders resting against the tree-trunk, and the new-born babe
enveloped in the warmth of his body and arms slept also. The feeble
cry of the child woke him. The sun was coming over the horizon and
the air was alive with the twitter of birds.
At first he thought he was at home and had awakened to a long
happy summer’s day. Then the fretful little cries brought back
memory with a rush. His new-born love flooded him. Tenderly he laid
the little sister down. Stretching his stiff and aching body, he hurried
for water. Very carefully he put a few drops in the little mouth and wet
the baby’s lips with his little brown finger. This proved soothing and
the cries ceased. The tug of the baby’s lips on his finger clutched his
heart. The helpless little thing was hungry, and he too was
desperately hungry. What should he do? His mother had spoken of
milk. He must get milk. Again he gathered up his burden and
buttoned his coat. From the rising ground on which he stood he
could see a farmhouse with smoke issuing from its chimney. He
hurried down to the friendly open door. A kind woman gave him food.
She recognized him as a little refugee bound for Holland. He had
difficulty in concealing the baby, but fortunately she did not cry. The
woman saw that he carried something, but when he asked for milk
she concluded he had a pet kitten. He accepted this explanation.
Eagerly he took the coveted milk and started on.
But day-old babies do not know how to drink. When he dropped
milk into the baby’s mouth she choked and sputtered. He had to be
content with moistening her mouth and giving her a milk-soaked
finger.
Refreshed by sleep and food, the boy set off briskly. Holland did
not now seem so far off. If only his mother were safe! Had the
Germans been good to her? These thoughts pursued and tormented
him. As before, he kept off the beaten track, making his way through
open meadows and patches of trees. But as the day advanced, the
heat grew intense. His feet ached, his arms ached, and, worst of all,
the baby cried fretfully.
At noon he came to a little brook sheltered by trees. He sat down
on the bank and dangled his swollen feet in the cool, fresh stream.
But his tiny sister still cried. Suddenly a thought came to him. Placing
the baby on his knees, he undid the towel that enveloped her. There
had been no time for clothes. Then he dipped a dirty pocket-
handkerchief in the brook and gently sponged the hot, restless little
body. Very tenderly he washed the little arms and legs. That
successfully accomplished, he turned the tiny creature and bathed
the small back. Evidently this was the proper treatment, for the baby
grew quiet. His heart swelled with pride. Reverently he wrapped the
towel around the naked little one and, administering a few drops of
milk, again went on.
All through that long, hot afternoon he toiled. His footsteps grew
slower and slower; he covered diminishing distances. Frequently he
stopped to rest, and now the baby had begun again to cry fitfully. At
one time his strength failed. Then he placed the baby under a tree
and rising on his knees uttered a prayer:
“O God, she’s such a little thing, help me to get her there.”
Like a benediction came the cool breeze of the sunset hour,
bringing renewed strength.
BROWN WOLF
By Jack London
The Klondiker’s face took on a contemptuous expression as he
said finally, “I reckon there’s nothin’ in sight to prevent me takin’ the
dog right here an’ now.”
Walt’s face reddened, and the striking-muscles of his arms and
shoulders seemed to stiffen and grow tense. His wife fluttered
apprehensively into the breach.
“Maybe Mr. Miller is right,” she said. “I’m afraid that he is. Wolf
does seem to know him, and certainly he answers to the name of
Brown. He made friends with him instantly, and you know that’s
something he never did with anybody before. Besides, look at the
way he barked. He was bursting with joy. Joy over what? Without
doubt at finding Mr. Miller.”
Walt’s striking-muscles relaxed, and his shoulders seemed to
droop with hopelessness.
“I guess you’re right, Madge,” he said. “Wolf isn’t Wolf, but Brown,
and he must belong to Mr. Miller.”
“Perhaps Mr. Miller will sell him?” she suggested. “We can buy
him.”
Skiff Miller shook his head, no longer belligerent, but kindly, quick
to be generous in response to generousness.
“I had five dogs,” he said, casting about for the easiest way to
temper his refusal. “He was the leader. They was the crack team of
Alaska. Nothin’ could touch ’em. In 1898 I refused five thousand
dollars for the bunch. Dogs was high then anyway; but that wasn’t
what made the fancy price. It was the team itself. Brown was the
best in the team. That winter I refused twelve hundred for him. I
didn’t sell ’m then an’ I ain’t a-sellin’ ’m now. Besides, I think a mighty
lot of that dog. I’ve ben lookin’ for ’m for three years. It made me fair
sick when I found he’d ben stole—not the value of him, but the—
well, I liked ’m. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I seen ’m just now. I
thought I was dreamin’. It was too good to be true. Why, I was his
wet-nurse. I put ’m to bed, snug every night. His mother died, and I
brought ’m up on condensed milk at two dollars a can when I
couldn’t afford it in my own coffee. He never knew any mother but
me.”
Madge began to speak:
“But the dog,” she said. “You haven’t considered the dog.”
Skiff Miller looked puzzled.
“Have you thought about him?” she asked.
“Don’t know what you’re drivin’ at,” was the response.
“Maybe the dog has some choice in the matter,” Madge went on.
“Maybe he has his likes and desires. You have not considered him.
You give him no choice. It had never entered your mind that possibly
he might prefer California to Alaska. You consider only what you like.
You do with him as you would with a sack of potatoes or a bale of
hay.”
This was a new way of looking at it, and Miller was visibly
impressed as he debated it in his mind. Madge took advantage of his
indecision.
“If you really love him, what would be happiness to him would be
your happiness also,” she urged.
Skiff Miller continued to debate with himself, and Madge stole a
glance of exultation to her husband, who looked back warm
approval.
“What do you think?” the Klondiker suddenly demanded.
It was her turn to be puzzled. “What do you mean?” she asked.
“D’ye think he’d sooner stay in California?”
She nodded her head with positiveness. “I’m sure of it.”
Skiff Miller again debated with himself, though this time aloud, at
the same time running his gaze in a judicial way over the mooted
animal.
“He was a good worker. He’s done a heap of work for me. He
never loafed on me, an’ he was a joe-dandy at hammerin’ a raw
team into shape. He’s got a head on him. He can do everything but
talk. He knows what you say to him. Look at ’m now. He knows we’re
talkin’ about him.”
The dog was lying at Skiff Miller’s feet, head close down on paws,
ears erect and listening, and eyes that were quick and eager to
follow the sound of speech as it fell from the lips of first one and then
the other.
“An’ there’s a lot of work in ’m yet. He’s good for years to come.
An’ I do like him.”
Once or twice after that Skiff Miller opened his mouth and closed it
again without speaking. Finally he said:
“I’ll tell you what I’ll do. Your remarks, ma’am, has some weight in
them. The dog’s worked hard, and maybe he’s earned a soft berth
an’ has got a right to choose. Anyway, we’ll leave it up to him.
Whatever he says goes. You people stay right here settin’ down; I’ll
say ‘good-by’ and walk off casual-like. If he wants to stay, he can
stay. If he wants to come with me, let ’m come. I won’t call ’m to
come an’ don’t you call ’m to come back.”
He looked with sudden suspicion at Madge, and added, “Only you
must play fair. No persuadin’ after my back is turned.”
“We’ll play fair,” Madge began, but Skiff Miller broke in on her
assurances.
“I know the ways of women,” he announced. “Their hearts is soft.
When their hearts is touched they’re likely to stack the cards, look at
the bottom of the deck, an’ lie—beggin’ your pardon, ma’am—I’m
only discoursin’ about women in general.”
“I don’t know how to thank you,” Madge quavered.
“I don’t see as you’ve got any call to thank me,” he replied; “Brown
ain’t decided yet. Now, you won’t mind if I go away slow. It’s no
more’n fair, seein’ I’ll be out of sight inside a hundred yards.”
Madge agreed and added, “And I promise you faithfully that we
won’t do anything to influence him.”
“Well, then, I might as well be gettin’ along,” Skiff Miller said, in the
ordinary tones of one departing.
At this change in his voice Wolf lifted his head quickly, and still
more quickly got to his feet when the man and woman shook hands.
He sprang up on his hind legs, resting his fore-paws on her hip and
at the same time licking Skiff Miller’s hand. When the latter shook
hands with Walt, Wolf repeated his act, resting his weight on Walt
and licking both men’s hands.
“It ain’t no picnic, I can tell you that,” were the Klondiker’s last
words, as he turned and went slowly up the trail.
For the distance of twenty feet Wolf watched him go, himself all
eagerness and expectancy, as though waiting for the man to turn
and retrace his steps. Then, with a quick, low whine, Wolf sprang
after him, overtook him, caught his hand between his teeth with
reluctant tenderness and strove gently to make him pause.
Failing in this, Wolf raced back to where Walt Irvine sat, catching
his coat-sleeve in his teeth and trying vainly to drag him after the
retreating man.
Wolf’s perturbation began to wax. He desired ubiquity. He wanted
to be in two places at the same time, with the old master and the
new, and steadily the distance was increasing. He sprang about
excitedly, making short, nervous leaps and twists, now toward one,
now toward the other, in painful indecision, not knowing his own
mind, desiring both and unable to choose, uttering quick, sharp
whines and beginning to pant.
He sat down abruptly on his haunches, thrusting his nose upward,
his mouth opening and closing with jerky movements, each time
opening wider. The jerking movements were in unison with the
recurrent spasms that attacked the throat, each spasm severer and
more intense than the preceding one. And in accord with jerks and
spasms the larynx began to vibrate, at first silently, accompanied by
the rush of air expelled from the lungs, then sounding a low, deep
note, the lowest in the register of the human ear. All this was the
nervous and muscular preliminary to howling.
But just as the howl was on the verge of bursting from the full
throat, the wide open mouth was closed, the paroxysms ceased, and
he looked long and steadily at the retreating man. Suddenly Wolf
turned his head, and over his shoulder just as steadily regarded
Walt. The appeal was unanswered. Not a word nor a sign did the
dog receive, no suggestion and no clew as to what his conduct
should be.
A glance ahead to where the old master was nearing the curve of
the trail excited him again. He sprang to his feet with a whine, and
then, struck by a new idea, turned his attention to Madge. Hitherto
he had ignored her, but now, both masters failing him, she alone was
left. He went over to her and snuggled his head in her lap, nudging
her arm with his nose—an old trick of his when begging for favors.
He backed away from her and began writhing and twisting playfully,
curveting and prancing, half rearing and striking his fore-paws to the
earth, struggling with all his body, from the wheedling eyes and
flattening ears to the wagging tail, to express the thought that was in
him and that was denied him utterance.
This too he soon abandoned. He was depressed by the coldness
of these humans who had never been cold before. No response
could he draw from them, no help could he get. They did not
consider him. They were as dead.
He turned and silently gazed after the old master. Skiff Miller was
rounding the curve. In a moment he would be gone from view. Yet he
never turned his head, plodding straight onward; slowly and
methodically, as though possessed of no interest in what was
occurring behind his back.
And in this fashion he went out of view. Wolf waited for him to
reappear. He waited a long minute, quietly, silently without
movement as though turned to stone—withal stone quick with
eagerness and desire. He barked once, and waited. Then he turned
and trotted back to Walt Irvine. He sniffed his hand and dropped
down heavily at his feet, watching the trail where it curved emptily
from view.
The tiny stream slipping down the mossy-lipped stone seemed
suddenly to increase the volume of its gurgling noise. Save for the
meadow larks, there was no other sound. The great yellow butterflies
drifted silently through the sunshine and lost themselves in the
drowsy shadows. Madge gazed triumphantly at her husband.
A few minutes later Wolf got upon his feet. Decision and
deliberation marked his movements. He did not glance at the man
and woman. His eyes were fixed up the trail. He had made up his
mind. They knew it. And they knew, so far as they were concerned,
that the ordeal had just begun.
He broke into a trot and Madge’s lips pursed, forming an avenue
for the caressing sound that it was the will of her to send forth. But
the caressing sound was not made. She was impelled to look at her
husband, and she saw the sternness with which he watched her. The
pursed lips relaxed, and she sighed inaudibly.
Wolf’s trot broke into a run. Wider and wider were the leaps he
made. Not once did he turn his head, his wolf’s brush standing out
straight behind him. He cut sharply across the curve of the trail and
was gone.—From “Love of Life,” copyrighted by The Macmillan Co.,
New York, and used by their kind permission.