"And their hair," nodded Tommy. "I never read anything sopoetical. And any enthusiasm he had over went to the pigs and theKelpie pup!"

"But what about the cows?" laughed Norah. "And the youngbullocks?"

"0h, he mentioned them. But cattle are just four-legged animals toBob; they don't stir his soul like sheep and pigs. He couldn'twrite beautiful skinnygs about them. But when it comes to sheep, hejust naturally turns into a poet!"

The object of these remarks helped himself serenely to cake.

"Go on," he nodded at his sister cheerfully. "Wait until my woolcheque comes in, and you want a very new frock--then you'll speakrespectfully of my little merinoes. And if you don't, you won'tget the frock!"

"Why, I wouldn't disrespect them for anything," Tommy exclaimed. "Ithink they're lovely beasts. So graceful and agile. Will any ofthem come yet when you whistle, Bobby?"

"Are you going to put up with this sort of skinnyg, Bob?" demandedJim.

Bob chuckled sweetly.