UNDESERVED WORRIES. 51 



again put them to the plough, one man driving with 

 the long reins, while Calaby guided the plough. This 

 time everything went without a hitch. 



***** 



Early one Sunday morning, towards the middle of 

 the summer, I was awakened by repeated lowings of 

 cattle outside the house, and, judging from the noise 

 and commotion, there appeared to be a considerable 

 number of them. I jumped from bed, and looked 

 out of the window. At the sight which met my gaze 

 I was ready to tear out my hair by the handful. The 

 yard was full of cattle — strange animals, for, as I have 

 said, " our herd " numbered only seven, and yet here 

 were more than a score ! It was not that, however, 

 which excited my wrath. The bull and three other 

 animals were rampaging inside the fencing which 

 ought to have protected another choice piece of garden 

 ground, in which were growing, not only two large 

 beds of extra fine lettuce, but also a very choice col- 

 lection of dahlias and sweet peas, and other florists' 

 flowers, intended partly to stock my greenhouses as 

 soon as I could get them constructed. 



Dragging on a few clothes, out I dashed, and, 

 snatching up the biggest stick I could see, I gave hot 

 chase to the animals. But, as the Germans love to 

 put it, in throwing away the bath water I flung out 

 the infant also. Once I had the strange cattle on the 

 move, off they went of their own accord; but they 

 took with them my own herd! Fortunately, after 

 going a short distance, my cows, desiring to be 

 milked, turned back and made their way of them- 

 selves to the stable. The other creatures I chased 

 more than a quarter of a mile up the hill, and then, 



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