GEESE 219 



statue ; it had living eyes which without the least 

 turning of the head watched him and every motion 

 he made. Then all at once the thought came into 

 his head that here was something, very good 

 succulent food in fact, sent, he almost thought pro- 

 videntially, to provision his house ; for how easy 

 it would be for him as he passed the bird to throw 

 himself suddenly upon and capture it ! It had 

 belonged to some one, no doubt, but that great 

 snowstorm and the furious north-east wind had 

 blown it far far from its native place and it was 

 lost to its owner for ever. Practically it was now 

 a wild bird free for him to take without any qualms 

 and to nourish himself on its flesh while the snow 

 siege lasted. Standing there, jug in hand, he 

 thought it out, and then took a few steps towards 

 the bird in order to see if there was any sign of 

 suspicion in it ; but there was none, only he could 

 see that the goose without turning its head was 

 all the time regarding him out of the corner of one 

 eye. Finally he came to the conclusion that his 

 best plan was to go for the milk and on his return 

 to set the jug down by the gate when coming in, 

 then to walk in a careless, unconcerned manner 

 towards the door, taking no notice of the goose 

 until he got abreast of it, and then turn suddenly 



