The boys had a hearty tea. “Now, would you like to hear how it was I bought Poll?” said their host.
“Yes, sir, very much,” said both of the boys.
“It was seven years ago last autumn, when I was out some distance from here, going for a walk across country. I am very fond of a good walk, and often go out all day when I take a holiday. It was very hot, and so I had my big white umbrella, as I don’t care what people think or say. I like to be comfortable if I can. It was rather difficult on that day to feel very comfortable, though, as the sun was shining not only brightly, but nearly as hot as I have felt it in India.”
“Have you been in India, sir?” asked Steve.
“Yes, Steve, I was in a government medical store for five years when I was quite a young man. Well, I have never felt in India so hot as I felt on that particular day. I like warm weather, and feel as lively as a kitten when it is hot. What are you laughing at? You think I am rather too big to be a kitten?”
“Yes, sir,” replied Steve, laughing, “just a little bit.”
“Well, then, I will say as lively as an elephant. They can be lively at times; for you must not judge of an elephant by what you see in a circus procession in this cold country. To return to my tale. I was just a bit too hot to feel as lively as a kitten or an elephant on that particular day, but still I was enjoying myself. I had my dinner at a country inn, and then walked into a wood and lay down, and went fast asleep. When I woke up I found that it was getting late, so I determined to take a short cut across the country to the railway-station, and save about two miles. I got up and walked on for some time, when the sky became overcast, and it got darker and darker. In fact, it was nearly as dark as night, and I had great difficulty in tracing out the right path. I had left the high-road for some time, and felt certain that I could not mistake the direction, as I had been twice before by the same way. After walking for an hour, a few big spots of rain fell. I knew that there would be a thunderstorm soon, and so I got out into the open country, as it is dangerous to walk near trees.”
“So I have heard father say,” remarked Alfred. “He has told me if ever I should be overtaken by a thunderstorm never to get near a tree, but to lie down in the open, if there are no houses near.”