The cow did not calve——no—she’ll not calve till next week——the cow put
it off terribly——till at the end of the sixth week _Obadiah_’s
suspicions (like a good man’s) fell upon the Bull.
Now the parish being very large, my father’s Bull, to speak the truth
of him, was no way equal to the department; he had, however, got
himself, somehow or other, thrust into employment—and as he went
through the business with a grave face, my father had a high opinion of
him.
——Most of the townsmen, an’ please your worship, quoth _Obadiah_,
believe that ’tis all the Bull’s fault——
——But may not a cow be barren? replied my father, turning to Doctor
_Slop._
It never happens: said Dr. _Slop_, but the man’s wife may have come
before her time naturally enough——Prithee has the child hair upon his
head?—added Dr. _Slop_——
——It is as hairy as I am; said _Obadiah.——Obadiah_ had not been shaved
for three weeks——Wheu - - u - - - - u - - - - - - - - cried my father;
beginning the sentence with an exclamatory whistle——and so, brother
_Toby_, this poor Bull of mine, who is as good a Bull as ever p—ss’d,
and might have done for _Europa_ herself in purer times——had he but two
legs less, might have been driven into Doctors Commons and lost his
character——which to a Town Bull, brother _Toby_, is the very same thing
as his life——