158 THE DESERT AND THE ROSE 



advice of a far-off sister who had triumphed with 

 Minorcas and Black Langshans. These gorgeous 

 beings I introduced to my very common hens. For 

 the benefit of those unfamiliar with the Minorca 

 in all his glory, I will add that a Minorca rooster is 

 the proudest fowl that steps. There are moments 

 when our lowly earth is too lowly for him judging 

 by his magnificent progress, the arching of his bur- 

 nished neck and symmetrical tail, the air with which 

 he carries his tall scarlet comb and shakes his long 

 wattles. He can outbrag the turkey gobbler him- 

 self! And the Minorca's lordly airs are further 

 heightened by a larger silence than belongs to 

 roosters of lesser majesty; he does not find it neces- 

 sary to crow inanely and incessantly for the mainten- 

 ance of his dignity: noblesse oblige does not work 

 that way with him. It is to be hoped that in time 

 the nerve devastating shrieks of roosters may be 

 altogether abolished now that a way has been found 

 to put a stopper on the mule's bray. 



Imagine, then, the expression of insulted dignity 

 with which these two imported lords of creation 

 regarded the plebeian creatures with whom they 

 were expected to consort! After a prolonged sur- 

 vey, both stalked away, giving voice to deep notes 

 of displeasure. In the aristocratic seclusion from 

 whence they had emerged never had it been their 

 lot to look upon such vulgar travesties of ladies, 

 much less suffer an introduction to them ! 



But time soothes disappointments grievous even 

 as this one. By the Fall I had a lot of vigorous half 

 bred chicks, so sightly that many of them were the 



