CHAPTER VI. 



N the following Sunday the beasts and birds 

 of the Shane farm met at the appointed 

 place under the oak tree. Some of them 

 looked rather the worse for the past week's 

 experience ; but all had a determined air, and looked 

 willing to add a little more to the usual amount of suf- 

 fering, if it would assist them in bettering their condi- 

 tion. 



Dobbin called the meeting to order and stated that 

 they would now hear from each one as to their experi- 

 ences of the past week. Owing to the fact that Mrs. 

 Shane had insisted that Dobbin should not be worked 

 any more, he was an independent character on the 

 farm. He had not been expected to work, and, as a 

 consequence, had not been ill treated. 



Bay Dick pranced forward, and said he was not so 

 lame as he had been. "However, I am liable to be 

 lame in good earnest if they give me much more of the 

 treatment that I have received for the past week. I 

 tell you it is hard to keep my heels down and not kick 

 things to pieces. I haven't kicked any this week, 

 though I don't promise for the future, for I have put up 

 with about all the abuse I can stand without striking 



D8(C£* sq 



