I explained to her that I should be there, at all
events for two or three days in every week, to give an eye to things.
Even that did not content her. She gave way eventually on Robina's
solemn undertaking that she should be telegraphed for the first time
Veronica coughed.
On Monday we packed a one-horse van with what we deemed essential.
Dick and Robina rode their bicycles. Veronica, supported by assorted
bedding, made herself comfortable upon the tailboard. I followed
down by train on the Wednesday afternoon.
CHAPTER III
It was the cow that woke me the first morning. I did not know it was
our cow--not at the time. I didn't know we had a cow. I looked at
my watch; it was half-past two. I thought maybe she would go to
sleep again, but her idea was that the day had begun. I went to the
window, the moon was at the full. She was standing by the gate, her
head inside the garden; I took it her anxiety was lest we might miss
any of it. Her neck was stretched out straight, her eyes towards the
sky; which gave to her the appearance of a long-eared alligator. I
have never had much to do with cows. I don't know how you talk to
them. I told her to "be quiet," and to "lie down"; and made pretence
to throw a boot at her. It seemed to cheer her, having an audience;
she added half a dozen extra notes. I never knew before a cow had so
much in her. There is a thing one sometimes meets with in the
suburbs--or one used to; I do not know whether it is still extant,
but when I was a boy it was quite common.
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