After Lacey lost her job before the war, she was Sam's only valuable property. In order to maintain family life, Sam had to sell his son's favorite dog, Lacey, to the Duke. Lacey sneaked back from the Duke's house several times, but the kind Sam sent Lacey back every time. Later, the Duke moved to Scotland hundreds of miles away. Lacey couldn't bear the dog owner's abuse, escaped again and went through all the hardships to return to Sam.