“Poor Mr. Leghorn, poor Mrs. Leghorn!” said the Big Barn Door. “I’ll slam and bang. That’s the best I can do.” And the Big Barn Door fell to slamming and banging with all his might.
The Old Red Ox heard the Big Barn Door slamming and banging, and cried out, “O, Big Barn Door, why are you slamming and banging so?”
“Reason enough,” answered the Big Barn Door. “Mr. Leghorn has fallen into the brook and is drowned; Mrs. Leghorn is screaming and cackling; and Wind-Mill is swinging his arms and creaking. That’s why I am slamming and banging so.”
“How sorry I am,” said the Old Red Ox. “I’ll paw the ground and bellow. What else can I do?” And he fell to pawing and bellowing with all his might.
“What is the matter, Old Red Ox?” asked the Watch Dog. “Why are you pawing and bellowing so?”
“Matter enough,” answered the Old Red Ox. “Mr. Leghorn has fallen into the brook and is drowned; Mrs. Leghorn is screaming and cackling; Wind-Mill is swinging his arms and creaking; and Big Barn Door is slamming and banging. That’s why I am pawing and bellowing so.”
“O dear me,” said the Watch Dog. “I’ll bark and whine. That’s all I can do.” And he fell to barking and whining with all his might.