THE POULTRY-KEEPER
They were talking of poultry and Christmas When the little man joined the group, and his dejection was most evident. 'I've 'ad it,' he said, shaking his head and taking it for granted that they knew what he was talking about. 'Never seen the like of it in all me puff. I opened the door of the shed an' found them !II an 'cap. Eight of them, stone dead but still (X. Eight out of fourteen!' There were clicks. of sympathy, and he was asked if he had seen any sign of the fox. 'Fox be 'anged!' spat the little man. lit was a stoat or a ferret what done it. He was in there, too. I seen 'im at the back of the shed..! shut the door an' made for 'im but he slunk past in the dark. I turned round quick like an' clouted me 'cad on the nest-box. I was sayin' a thing or two about ferrets an' stoats when the missus came to the door. 1 tells 'er to go away, but not 'er! She opens the door and lets 'im out! "What Was that?" she shouts. "Eight pounds' worth ef flamin' ferret," I says. "Pity you didn't catch it," she says. I never said nothin' more.
rn sellin' the rest at market. The game ain't Worth the candle an' that's a fact!'
Previous page
