Robin Hood's Barn 



she will not cease her solitary march until she 

 has investigated the terms laid down in my glanc- 

 ing heap. At last she is within my range and 

 pauses there for parley, the sunlight hot upon 

 her glossy flanks. Once, however, that she has 

 accepted my silence for safe conduct, her head 

 goes down and a cautious breathing faintly stirs 

 the pods. In a moment her stertorous snuffle 

 is followed by a gulp, and soon I hear the steady 

 crunch of fresh yoimg green. From then on she 

 has no eyes for me. It is only when her earthen 

 platter is swept clean that she lifts a solemn, 

 eager face to mine and proclaims with the last 

 ruminating mouthful that a compact has been 

 sealed. 



By the next morning confidence has spread. 

 No sooner do I appear upon the parapet than 

 I am hailed by all the host. This time my ambas- 

 sador transforms herself to general and with a 

 new swagger comes attended by a cavalcade in 

 single file. She is a stern believer in offidaldora, 

 and once she has her head deep in my basket, she 

 insists as ranking officer upon sole rights. Her 

 staff may only salvage what she lets fall. If 

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