Now they are off, armed with their nets. They are sure to have a splendid chase. Bertie intends to catch a dozen peacock butterflies, and Minnie a dozen emperors. That will make twenty-four butterflies. Peacocks and emperors are the finest of all—the only butterflies they mean to catch. As soon as they reach the field the two hunters hold a consultation and arrange the plan of proceeding. Bertie will take the right side of the field, and Minnie the left. They must not come in each other’s way, only if one should want help, then the other is to fly to the rescue.
V.
They walk gently along, each on the proper side, just as they agreed; for, in the first place, the grass is very high, and that makes it difficult to run fast; and then, of course, they must not frighten the butterflies. They must go very cautiously, so as to take them by surprise.
There is a donkey in the field. He looks very much astonished at something. I think he is asking himself if the butterfly-hunters are not come to hunt him. What an absurd donkey! to think of any one hunting donkeys with a butterfly-net!
VI.
Everything is blooming in the meadow, the air is full of soft murmurs, and the insects make a musical hum.