"Whatever you say, sir," says Shephard, and, "Thank you."

The whole lot of it smells good, and Shephard- no offense to Kreyu's rabbits this morning- is hungry. He does, however, glance hearthward first. "Is it okay if I give him some of mine, sir?" he asks. "Been a while since I've seen a proper dog, 'n they remind me of home growin' up."

You don't hunt on another man's property without asking him first, and you don't screw around with another man's dog without asking the rules. What's okay by some owners is forbidden as hell by others.