One beautiful morning, when Robert had been at the farm nearly a week,
Mr. Spencer invited him to take a drive to the sheep-pasture. There was
a large basket in the buggy. "I am taking a little treat to my sheep,"
said Mr. Spencer. "Once a week I carry them some chopped carrots and
turnips."
It was only a short drive to the sheep-pasture. As Robert and Mr.
Spencer went through the gate the sheep came running to meet their
master. They were fine, fat creatures, and so tame that Robert could
stroke their woolly heads and soft noses.
The pasture was well fenced in, and four horses were near the fence,
under a large tree. Three of them came up to share the carrots and to
hunt in Mr. Spencer's pockets for lumps of sugar. The fourth horse did
not move from where he was lying.
"Are these your horses?" asked Robert.
"Only one is mine," said Mr. Spencer. "The others belong to a wise
friend of ours who gives his horses a vacation in the summer. Did you
ever think how many horses work all their lives without any rest worth
mentioning?"
"No," said Robert slowly. "I never thought of it before. It does seem
hard that they shouldn't have a vacation sometimes."
"It seems hard that they cannot be sure of a rest on Sunday, at least,"
said Mr.
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