LXVII. Doing Chores 



DOING chores is a routine job, and even the 

 animals seem to be getting it down to a 

 system. When I go out to feed the cattle 

 in the morning Sheppy meets me at the 

 door and insists on having a play, which consists 

 mostly of jumping up against me as if he were a 

 wolf trying to catch me by the throat and drag me 

 down. My part of the game is to catch him off 

 his guard when his feet are off the ground and give 

 him a push that bowls him down. After he has 

 had a few tumbles he is satisfied, and begins running 

 around in wide circles. When I get near the stable 

 the kitten that the children have named after an 

 eminent statesman gets on the path in front of me, 

 purring and rolling on his back so that I can tickle 

 him with the toe of my boot. As soon as I begin 

 to open the stable door the driver whinnies "Good- 

 morning," and a moment later the Jimmie-cow 



bawls complainingly, and says in part : "Why 



are 3'ou so late coming out to feed us this morning? 



249 



