IN THE PASTURE 9 



" They are not as handsome as you, though they 

 might belong to your family," said Comet, politely. 



" Perhaps I may have some wild cousins," said 

 Sausage, rooting up the turf. " I wonder what they 

 eat ? " 



" I should like to go and meet my wild relations, if 

 I have any," said Corney. " I wonder if they could 

 beat me at butting and sliding down hill ? " 



" Humph, it is very strange about all these wild 

 things," said Jeny. "I — iNIy, they are making that 

 bang noise again, down at the village ! " 



"That is the band. I think the circus is over," said 

 Comet. 



" Which Horse Brother dragged the people down 

 there, and who went ? " asked Daisy, who was always 

 inquisitive. 



" They all went, and they walked with their own 

 feet, because the Doctor knows that we do not like 

 smells and noises," said Comet. " They are coming 

 back up the hill now. Nat is following 'way behind, 

 carrying something. Ugh ! It is a big snake, and he 

 has it by the tail. I hate snakes ; they look up so 

 suddenly out of the grass when one is feeding, and 

 they always seem to be by the nicest bunch of clover." 



" Perhaps the people will stop here to rest, and we 

 may hear something about our wild brothers," said 

 Daisy. 



" I think Dodo has sugar for me," said Comet to Tom 

 and Jerry. " I will drop a piece, and you can pick it 

 up, and see how you like it." 



" Comet is quite a gentleman, if his ribs do show," 

 muttered Tom to his companion, looking pleased, while 



