“Where’s John Dobbin? Are ye carryin’ on the farm by yourself, Sally? Well, you’re a fine steed to place in front of any man’s castle! I’ll speak a word for ye when I see the general again. He’s sure to be wanting a new charger to carry him off to the wars soon. But I see you’re figgity, Sally, so I’ll bid you good-day. Pans to mend! Kettles to mend! Scraps of old iron!”
“Mercy on us!” wailed the frightened creature, the perspiration dropping from her nose end. “How thankful I am to think he’s gone! If he’d walked into the kitchen, and master out, he’d have smoked up all his new baccy. When will it be twelve o’clock? Oh, but I don’t like looking after things. I will be glad when master comes home.” Because she felt relieved of anxiety a warm feeling spread all over Sally, and her poor old heart felt happy. Even Neddy’s ugly “he-hawing” failed to rouse her ire. So she fell to trotting about the garden in a silly kind of way. While Sally was frisking about in a happy-go-lucky fashion, up came a sailor.
“Morning,” he said, “fine time o’ year this.”
Sally looked sad.
“No one at home, eh? Where’s John Dobbin? Hasn’t left any message, eh! Stand out of the way and I’ll go into the house, and sit down till John comes. Bravo! my beauty,” stroking the limping calf, “you’re a fine mixed lot of customers I can see. Master John will be at the market I’ll be bound. It’s twenty year since John and me met. Won’t we have a fine time of it now. I hear he’s never married, n’more have I. Wait till he comes in, we’ll be spinning yarns till bed-time.”
All this time Sally was pawing at the cobbles with her hoof. “Well, you’re a cool hand to be sure,” thought she. “And he’s helping himself to my master’s baccy. Well, if that doesn’t beat all. I’ve got him in the kitchen at any rate, and if he isn’t quite quiet, he looks honest. I’d best be off and see how Neddy’s getting on, for he’s a first-class scamp if you like.” And away she trotted, seeing on the road that the bees were hard at work, for you will understand how this lazy old horse was most particular that everyone else but herself should be working. She did not like to see anything idle. If you notice, animals that have lived a long time with people learn to know their ways. And it may sound funny to you children, but I have often seen animals try and imitate their owners. So if any of you have a pet you must be careful and behave kindly before it, for then, at least, you will be setting a good example. And I would advise you to have nothing to do with a boy whose dog fears him, or with a girl who is not kind to her dollies.
“Now, where is Neddy?” said the weary mare, “for not a speck of him can I find. There’s every bit of fodder munched up—rakes and spades kicked about—yes, he’s been here sure enough. And there’s the brand new bucket stamped on. Whatever will Master say? This is keeping an eye on things till master comes back, isn’t it! Oh! dear me. I’ve got a run-a-gate donkey somewhere and a Jack Tar in the kitchen smoking my master’s baccy.”
“Bow-wow-wow!”
“What’s the matter now?” As Sally turned round she saw a sheep dog. “Oh? Ben, it’s you,” she cried. “I’m nearly worried out of my wits. For goodness’ sake do stop here, Ben, and keep guard till master comes back. There’s the bow-legged toppin’d hen wants keeping in her place, and that limping calf ought to be tethered. And Neddy ought to be sent home instead of stamping the fodder about and kicking the new bucket, and—there’s that sailor chap in the kitchen smoking my master’s baccy! Mercy on us! what’s that?” as a band struck up a gay tune. “It’s a travelling circus—no, it isn’t. My word, the whole village is up and our sailor gentleman is dancing a hornpipe! Thank goodness—there’s master coming! Whoever would have thought of things happening like this!”