ewe, as they call the mother, has two or three lambs at a
time; and perhaps she thinks she could not nurse them all, and so she
chooses one or two that she will take care of, and when the other comes
near her, she butts it softly with her head. The lamb knows then that
she will not take care of it; and the little forsaken creature begins to
cry, Anne says, 'for all the world just like a little baby.'"

"And what do the people do for it?" inquired Minnie, tears filling her
eyes.

"Why, they take it away from the flock, and 'bring it up by hand,' as
they call it; that is, they feed it with milk, and it learns to love
the one who takes care of it, and follows her about wherever she goes,
just like a little dog. Anne will tell you all about it."

"She is busy now. I heard her tell cook she wanted to give your chamber
a thorough cleaning to-day. Can't you remember something more?"

"You know that gentleman, Mr. Sullivan, who comes here sometimes with
your father. He is what is called a practical shepherd; that is, he
knows all about the habits of sheep, from having been brought up with
them. He understands the different breeds, and knows which are the best
for wool; and which, for mutton; and what kinds of food are best for
them. I have heard your father say that he had gained a great deal of
information from Mr. Sullivan, which he could not get from books. I
think he will visit us again before long; and I advise you to save all
your difficult questions for him to answer."

"If father buys a flock, will he keep them on his farm?" asked the
child.

"O, no, dear! Sheep like to roam over the hills, and browse on the
bushes and moss. They can find a very good living where a cow would
suffer from hunger."

At this moment, Anne appeared at the door, to ask her mistress a
question, and Minnie took the opportunity to tell her that she wanted to
hear about raising little lambs.

"I'll be pleased enough to tell you, miss," answered the woman, smiling.
"I've had a dale to do with sheep, and lambs, too, in my younger days,
and many's the little cosset I've brought up by hand, when the poor
cratur would otherwise have died."

CHAPTER II.

THE LITTLE LAMBS.

Anne was standing on some high steps, putting up clean curtains in her
mistress's room; and Minnie stood watching her, and wondering how soon
she would be done, so she could tell about the lambs. At last she
said,--

"Anne, if I stand up in a chair, I could hol