A nasty ungrateful brute! I've given him apples and turnips and bread; one Christmas I gave him a lump of cake; but no matter what you do, the worse he is.

He's a natural savage, father says; and it isn't safe to go near him without a stick." "Well, you've told me all that a dozen times," said Tom maliciously.
"It's only an excuse for ill-using the poor thing." "Say that again and I'll hit you," cried Dick.
"No, you won't.

Here, give me the harness again and I'll put it on, only keep back with that stick.

That's what makes him vicious." "How clever we are!" cried Dick, handing back the collar.

"There: go and try." "Ah, I'll show you!" said Tom, taking the collar with its hames and traces attached, and going up toward the donkey, while Dick stood back, laughing.
"Take care, Tom; mind he don't bite!" "He can't bite with his hind-legs, can he ?" replied Tom.