Robin Hood's Barn 



them forth. The very food for cohe. But before 

 I yield to doubt, a moist nose is nuzzling at my 

 palm. There is a quick wet slip, a crunch, and 

 a hot breath upon me. At once the horde per- 

 ceives that here is matter for contention, and 

 a dozen pairs of horns are swiftly tilting in the 

 fray. Lest I be brought to earth, I dissipate 

 the ranks by flinging wide my whole stock of 

 provisions and by stirring up a civil strife, I 

 make my own ignored retreat. 



I need, however, but a glimpse of the pushing, 

 crowding heads behind me to know that I have 

 made a tactical mistake. Peas were as nothing, 

 a mere side dish in comparison. This time I have 

 whetted appetite, aroused a conquering lust. 

 Never again will my antagonists be content with 

 simple rationing. Gone are the bleak beggarly 

 days. They wiU have satisfaction, if not supphed, 

 then seized. Better the earher summons that 

 drifted plaintively across the meadows in terms 

 of question and entreaty than this fuU-voiced 

 demand that swells in volvraie if I venture forth. 

 I cannot even go about my household tasks or 

 creep about my garden without the consciousness 

 [226] 



