THE ASS. 35 



than usual difficulty in the task if he left it undone. He 

 was accustomed to go through several of the villages of 

 Northamptonshire two or three times a week, at the rate 

 of from fifteen to twenty miles a day; and singularly 

 enough, he never offered to turn into any other path 

 than the right, not even into any one leading directly 

 to his home, but always entered a village by the pro- 

 per route, and stopped in regular succession at all the 

 houses, often more than a hundred, at which he was 

 accustomed to call. At one of these, those who were 

 with him regularly partook of some refreshment ; and 

 Robin as regularly went to a shed in the yard, where he 

 always found some provender. 



This sagacious animal seemed to adapt himself fully 

 to any change of circumstances. When he had to carry 

 an invalid, which often happened, he passed steadily 

 onwards, without making any calls at the places he 

 commonly visited ; and on every sabbath day, when 

 bearing his mistress to her place of worship, he went 

 thither without stopping. Robin was about four years 

 old when he came to the parties now referred to ; and 

 he became so fond of his master, that he followed him in 

 the yard, the field, and the stable, like a dog. After 

 fourteen years' faithful service, he ran a thorn into one 

 of his feet, and died in consequence. 



