Violet Jacob > Stories told by the miller

THE STORY OF FARMYARD MAGGIE 131
you whistled to him. All the fowls knew that
something terrible had happened.
“ But what is the use of your fighting, dear
Alfonso?” said Maggie. “ It would do me no
good, and the poultry are all innocent. They
have done me no harm.”
“ I am not so sure about those sly fat huzzies*
of ducks. What business have they to look
after themselves so badly ? I have a good
mind to go down and have a few words with
the drake.”
“ No, no—pray don’t,” said Maggie. “The
best thing I can do is to go away and be done
with it.”
The Cochin-Chinaman was weeping hoarsely:
he had no dignity.
“ I never thought to leave my family,” he
cried, “ but this is the last they’ll see of me. I
shall go with you.”
Alfonso was rather shocked, for he had very
proper ideas.
“ And leave your wife ?” he exclaimed.
“ She is in love with the Dorking cock, so
she can stay with him. I have known it for
some time. There he is, standing on one leg
by the wood-pile.”
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