Some Experience on the Farm 43 
farm. But she had served grandpa so well during 
the years of her strength, that, although no longer 
needed, still she was allowed to remain and enjoy 
the rest and quiet. All the neighbors seemed to 
know and respect her, and whenever any of them 
passed by, she would go up to the fence and 
whinney, in response to their greeting. Elsa was 
her constant companion in the pasture, and their 
lot was indeed a happy one. 
Another animal on the farm was Billy, the pig, 
though I am sorry to say his place was so uninvit- 
ing I did not care to visit him very often. But 
really, poor Billy was not to blame ; his “ pen ” was 
so small, and there was no way for him to get out 
when he wanted to ; how could he keep it clean 
and tidy ? 
Why he was singled out to be treated as a pris- 
oner, when all the other animals on the farm were 
free to roam at will, was more than I could under- 
stand, unless it was because grandpa was too ill to 
attend to him. As I used to see Billy stare through 
the cracks in the walls of the narrow gloomy prison 
that shut him away from the great, beautiful world, 
and as I listened to his ceaseless grunting, I could 
not help but pity him. Although I did not under- 
