The next week Willy went to sea, and the others were left at home for the summer, except Fairy, who went to the seaside with the Leslies for a fortnight in September, the longest fortnight Jack ever spent. While she was away, Mrs. Shelley took the opportunity of warning Jack about his growing jealousy of Charlie, which was daily becoming more apparent, and she flattered herself when Fairy came back that her words had had some effect, until a little incident occurred to show her she was mistaken.
One evening in November, as Jack was coming down the High-street of Lewes, whither he had had to accompany his father, much against his will, to the last sheep fair, he saw a large bird flying slowly overhead. He followed it down a by-street, and saw it was getting lower and lower, evidently tired, until at last it sunk exhausted on the ground, a few paces from Jack, who secured it without much difficulty. It was a wild goose come southwards for the winter, and, being exhausted either for want of food or by its long journey, had become separated from its companions. By its black, snake-like head and neck, and the smallness of its size in comparison with other geese, Jack recognised it at once as a Brent goose, and taking it up in his arms he ran home in triumph with his prize, which soon revived after being fed. He clipped its wings and put it with the rest of the poultry, where it soon became quite at home, and attached itself to Charlie, who always fed it, and constantly followed him about the premises, sometimes even into the house.
For some reason or other Fairy took a dislike to this bird; she declared it looked like an evil spirit, and she was sure it would bring ill-luck to them. She could not bear to see it about the garden, and often begged Charlie in Jack’s hearing to keep it shut up with the rest of the poultry. Charlie, however, delighted in having found a way of teasing Fairy, and partly on that account, partly because he was really fond of the bird, he encouraged it to follow him wherever he went.
One morning Charlie came in to breakfast in the greatest distress—the Brent goose was gone; he had searched the premises, but could not see a sign of it.
“I am very glad of it. Horrid bird, with its snaky head and neck! I hated it,” said Fairy.
“Have you done anything with it, Fairy? Do you know where it is?” asked Charlie.
“Ask Jack,” laughed Fairy; and that was all Charlie could get out of her.
Jack was on the downs with the sheep, and would not be home till evening, so Charlie spent the day in searching the neighbourhood for the Brent goose, but in vain; and when Jack came home Charlie’s first words were, “The Brent goose is lost, Jack.”
“No, it isn’t,” said Jack.
“I tell you it is; I have been all over the country looking for it, and I can’t find it anywhere.”