That was what the angels saw when they looked abroad; a few paces distant the cart was lying with its shafts up in the air, and a tumble of miscellaneous rubbish was hanging half in and half out of it; a little farther the ass, in a concentrated manner, was chopping grass as quickly as ever he could, and, naturally enough, eating it; for after thinking deeply we eat, and it is true wisdom to do so.
The eldest of the angels observed the donkey. He stroked his beard.
"One eats that kind of vegetable," said he.
The others observed also.
"And," that angel continued, "the time has come for us to eat."
The second eldest angel rolled his coal-black chin in his hand and his gesture and attitude were precisely those of Patsy Mac Cann.
"I am certainly hungry," said he.
He picked a fistful of grass and thrust some of it into his mouth, but after a moment of difficulty he removed it again.
"It is soft enough to eat," said he musingly, "but I do not care greatly for its taste."
The youngest angel made a suggestion.