“How old is he?” inquired Arthur.
“Six weeks, or two months, I do not recollect which,” replied William. “But see, here comes the mother! I thought she could not be far off, for does never desert their young ones until the end of the summer.”
The little party was still admiring the fawn, when Mr. Ashley came, and told them that dinner was almost ready.
“We will come, papa,” said William, “as soon as we have done counting the spots upon my little fawn’s back.”
“Pray,” inquired Charles, “are all deer spotted?”
Mr. Ashley. No: their colour is various. Some are of a reddish cast, some of a deep brown, some white, and others spotted like these. Observe the herd that are feeding under those trees, and you will see a great difference amongst them.
“And those, sir,” said Arthur, “have all fine branching horns.”
“They are stags,” returned Mr. Ashley. “The does are the females, and never have any horns. But perhaps you did not know that even stags are without, for a part of every year?”
Arthur. Indeed, sir, I did not, and shall be obliged to you if you will tell me about it.