"Yes; and I think old Towser loves me. He lets me get on his back: he never bites me."
"I would like to catch him at it—biting my little Freddy! He knows too much for that; and, besides, he loves you."
"But does the old cow love me, mamma?"
"Why, didn't she let you play with her calf, and never try to hook you? The old cow loves Freddy, and will give him all the fresh milk he wants."
"The hens love me because I feed them."
"Yes, the hens love you; and, more than that, the little sparrows love you; for they follow you, and hop about your feet, as if they wanted to say, 'Good-morning, Freddy! We all love you, Freddy.'"
"But I will tell you one beast that does not love me, mamma. The old sow does not love me."
"Don't you believe it, little boy! The old sow loves you just as well as Towser does; just as well as the cow does; just as well as old Scamper, the horse, loves you."
"I should like to be sure that the sow loves me."
"Come with me, and I will put you on her back; and, if she does not like it, it will be a sign that she does not love you; but, if she does like it, it will be a sign that she loves my little Freddy just as much as the others do."