In cosy stable comfort
Stood Barney, groomed and fed:
But wistful thoughts of out-of-doors
Were in his long-eared head.
"To be a beast of leisure
Is elegant, no doubt,"
Thought Barney, "but it's very dull."
Just then he heard a shout,
A battering and banging,—
Then doors were opened wide,
And madcap Helen and her chum
Rushed noisily inside.
"Where's Barney? Where's the harness?
And where's the Barney sleigh?
See, Minna, here's our donkey dear,
We'll have some fun to-day."
The donkey soon was harnessed,
And loud their laughter rang,
As up into the outgrown sleigh
The jolly comrades sprang.
The sleigh-bells jingled gayly,
And many a compliment
Did Barney get as o'er the snow
At steady pace he went.
"How very good and docile,"
Said Minna, "Barney is!
I never thought he'd settle down,
To be as staid as this!"
"He does seem tame," said Helen,
"It's very strange to think
That he's too old for playing jokes."
(Here Barney gave a wink.)
"But what a day for coasting!
And isn't this a climb?
Just think how we'll spin down the hill—
We'll have the gayest time."