Once they exited the parlor, Winston wanted to make sure Lola was no longer in a daze. So he used his index finger to poke Lola in the cheek.
Lola looked at him, "What?"
"I just wanted to make sure you were alright," Winston says.
"Oh yeah, I'm fine," Lola reassures him.
Winston smiles and takes Lola's hand, "Follow me. There's one more person I'd like to introduce you to."
They walk away from the parlor and walk up another flight of marble stairs. Once they reach the top of the stairs, they turn to the left and walk down a hall.
Their journey was interrupted by the sound of loud feet scurrying down the hall from behind them and a loud bark. Before either of them had time to react, a tall, skinny dog with light yellow fur and pointed ears pounces on Winston, knocking him down. The dog then started to affectionately lick Winston's face, with his tail wagging from side to side. Lola had never seen such a large dog before, so she stood there and stared in awe as the dog continued to slobber all over his young master.
The feeling of his dog licking him so much tickled Winston, so he couldn't help but laugh as he tried to pry his pet off of him.
"Ha, ha, ha. Hey. Ha, ha, settle down Stefano!" Winston giggled as he used his hand to gently push the dog's snout away from him.
It takes a while, but Winston manages to push his dog off of him and stands up. With a more stern tone in his body language and voice, he holds out his hand towards the dog.
"Stefano, sit!" Winston commanded.
The dog instantly obeyed and sat, with his tail still wagging, but much slower than it was while he was greeting his master. He also continued to pant, with his mouth wide open.
"Stay still," Now the dog stopped panting and closed his mouth.
Winston turned to Lola and smiled. "Sorry this big guy startled you. This is my dog Stefano. He was a gift from one of my dad's former coworkers in Italy. He's an Italian Greyhound, yellow Lab mix."
"I've never seen such a big dog," Lola gasps.
"He's a sweetheart when you get to know him," Winston says, "How about you hold your hand out so he can sniff it?"
Lola does what she's told and holds her hand in front of Stefano so he can sniff her hand. After a few seconds of sniffing her hand, Stefano closed his eyes and licked it, much to her surprise and Winston's happiness.
"Aww, he likes you!" Winston squeals.
Lola smiled at Stefano, with his licks tickling her hand. "Good doggie," She says.
Winston reaches inside his jacket and pulls out a red rubber ball.
"Stefano! Look boy!" Winston squeals as he waves the ball towards his dog.
Stefano leaps away from Lola and barks happily when he sees the ball. His tail wags very fast and starts panting in excitement.
"Want the ball? You want the ball?" Winston squeals, "Go on boy! Go get it!"
Winston throws the ball down the hall in the direction he and Lola came from; as expected, Stefano chases it, panting all the while.
"That should keep him occupied for a while," Winston comments.
He grabs Lola's hand, which is still a little wet from Stefano licking it. "Come on, let's go up to my room."
Lola's face lights up after realizing she's going to the bedroom of a boy she likes.
It takes them a while to reach their destination, but once they do, Winston opens a large white door. They walk inside and notice a man in the room. He is a tall man wearing a black suit and shiny black shoes. He has dark brown hair that was neatly combed and slicked back.
The man is holding a laundry basket with neatly folded clothes in it. Without turning and looking at Winston and Lola, he just starts talking.
"Oh Master Winston. I just finished your laundry and I'm just putting it away," He says.
"Benjamin. I'd like you to meet someone," Winston claims.
Benjamin places the laundry basket on the floor and turns around so he is facing the children. Unlike everyone else they had previously met, he does not smile at Lola. Instead, he maintains a stoic expression.
The two of them approach Benjamin. "Benjamin, this is Lola Loud. Lola, this is one of my servants Benjamin," Winston introduces.
Benjamin, while still maintaining a small frown, closes his eyes and bows politely to Lola. She isn't quite sure about him since his first impression seems mysterious.
Benjamin turns to Winston, "Is there anything you and your guest need?"
Winston briefly glances at Lola and places his index finger on his chin. He gets an idea.
"Actually yes there is," Winston says.
He looks at Lola, "You like tea parties, right?"
Lola raises an eyebrow and crosses her arms, "Pfft, do I like tea parties. You know who you're talking to, right?" She scoffed sarcastically.
"Of course, how foolish of me to ask," Winston teases.
He turns to Benjamin, "Benjamin, can you please prepare a tea party for Lola and I?"
"Very well Master. I shall attend to your request at once. I'll summon you as soon as the tea party is ready," Benjamin says as he leaves the room.
"Thank you Benjamin."