“You there, baa, baa, baa!”
The sheep in his jacket answered him, “Baa-baa,” and came running to the gate as if to welcome him.
Dennis dismounted and pulled the strap of the door.
The sheep followed him to the door, and when the latter was opened, announced the arrival of a stranger by a baa.
A tall, elderly man stood at the door, dressed in a new woolen suit. He had a high neck-stock, and bowed in a very stately way. He had manners.
“An’ I am out on business for the Governor,” said Dennis.
“You are welcome,” said the tall man. “Any one in the service of the Governor is welcome to my home, and to the best of my scanty fare.” He bowed again.
Dennis walked in, so did the sheep, with many baas.
“Take a place before the fire,” said the tall old man. “I feel the snows of age falling upon me,” he continued. “The sun and the light of the moon will soon be darkened to me, and the clouds already return after the rain.
“The keepers of the house tremble,” here he lifted his hands, which shook with a slight palsy; “and the grinders cease because they are few,” here he pointed to his almost toothless gums; “and those that look out of the windows be darkened,” here he took a pair of spectacles from his eyes. He talked almost wholly in scriptural language.