Returning to the pond, it may be noticed that the cart-horses when they walk in of a summer's day paw the stream, as if they enjoyed the cool sound of the splash; but the cows stand quite still with the water up to their knees.
There is a spot by a yet more quiet bridge, where the little water-shrews play to and fro where the bank overhangs.

As they dive and move under water the reddish-brown back looks of a lighter colour; when they touch the ground they thrust their tiny nostrils up just above the surface.

There are many holes of water-rats, but no one would imagine how numerous these latter creatures are.

One of Hilary's sons, Hugh, kept some ferrets, and in the summer was put to it to find them enough food.

The bird-keepers brought in a bird occasionally, and there were cruel rumours of a cat having disappeared.