Mrs Nutts. And Cock Robin? But go on, Mr Peabody—never mind Nosebag. Some people are so wicked they won’t believe nothin’! Go on. Wasn’t you afeard?
Peabody. Just at first. But there was such a look of true good-nature—and true wisdom, Mrs Nutts, is always good-natured—in Æsop’s face; such a look, I may say, of pleasant benignity, that in a moment I ceased to be afraid of the thing as a ghost, and stood bolt upright, and took my hat off—though it’s not required by the rules of the “force”—as to a teacher and a friend.
Slowgoe. Well, I shall begin to have some hopes of you, after all. I didn’t think you’d show such a respect for ghosts. I’m glad you’re not quite lost to the wisdom of our ancestors. I have lived to hear the ghosts of Cock Lane doubted; but—I confess it—it’s positively comforting to hear you talk as you do of Æsop. A great man! I should like to know what wisdom we’ve had since he lived? Why, nothing new: it’s been the old thing served up, like a cold joint hashed with ketchup, and kayenne, and all that.
Mrs Nutts. And very good eatin’, too, Mr Slowgoe; but go on, Mr Peabody. What did Æsop say when he saw you?
Peabody. Nothing to me at all; he merely smiled and nodded, and kept all his discourse for the cattle. Well, it was very odd, but in a minute every four-footed thing seemed to know the presence of their great interpreter, Æsop.
Nosebag. How could they see him? Was the gas burning?
Tickle. Not at all. But don’t you know it’s a rule with ghosts always to appear with their own lights?
Peabody. All’s one for that. I tell you they all knew him: and the heaviest oxen there, though wellnigh broken-backed with fat, rose upon its four legs; and its loose velvety skin seemed to quiver and wrinkle with pleasure; and its eyes glowed with a mild and almost human light; and it bent its head in token of veneration and acknowledgment of the immortal Æsop. And the sheep—those packs of breathing wool—they softly baaed, and shook their tails; and——
Mrs Nutts. And the pigs?—the Prince’s pigs?
Peabody. They couldn’t fail to support the dignity of their breeding, and made more noise to welcome even the ghost of genius than all the rest; indeed it was delightful, wonderful, to see how the great master was acknowledged.