A rivulet which spread into a pond for the convenience of the aquatic birds, trickled over gravel as it passed through the yards dedicated to the land poultry, which were thus amply supplied with the means they use for digestion.
All these creatures seemed to recognize the presence of their mistress, and some especial favourites hastened to her feet, and continued to follow her as far as their limits permitted.

She pointed out their peculiarities and qualities, with the discrimination of one who had made natural history her study; and I own I never looked on barn-door fowls with so much interest before--at least until they were boiled or roasted.

I could not help asking the trying question, how she could order the execution of any of the creatures of which she seemed so careful.
'It was painful,' she said, 'but it was according to the law of their being.

They must die; but they knew not when death was approaching; and in making them comfortable while they lived, we contributed to their happiness as much as the conditions of their existence permitted to us.' I am not quite of her mind, Alan.

I do not believe either pigs or poultry would admit that the chief end of their being was to be killed and eaten.