14 STORIES FROM DAUDET

lost six goats all in the same way he
bought a seventh; but this time he
took care to buy a young kid, so that
she might grow accustomed to his
house, How pretty she was, this little
kid of M. Seguin’s, with her soft eyes,
her little beard about the size of a
lieutenant’s, her blackand shining hoofs,
and her long white hair that clothed
her like -a greatcoat, and then gentle,
affectionate, allowing herself to be
milked without starting or kicking
over the pail. The dearest little
goat !

Behind M. Seguin’s house was an
enclosure hedged round with hawthorn.
There he put his newlodger. He tied
her to a stake in the prettiest part of
the meadow, taking care to give her
plenty of rope, and he came often to
see how she was getting on. The little
goat was very happy, and browsed
with such appetite that M. Seguin
was delighted. ‘At last,’ thought
the poor man, ‘I have found one who