1. All of a sudden, as Mercy had quite made up her mind to leave Brownie, and was half way across the yard to her own door, a thought struck her.
2. There was an old shed which had once been the stable of a donkey, quite at the far end of the garden.
3. Her father had turned it into a pigsty1; but he had left off keeping pigs for some time. It was a clean place, for Peter[Pg 59] did not let his pigs live in a dirty sty as some people do.
4. Some dry straw was in it, and some roots stored for the winter. It would be just the place if only she could get Brownie there.
5. In a moment she turned back to hurry again over the heap of snow to the place where the donkey still stood. He could do nothing for himself to make things better.
6. All that he could do was to bear them without any complaint. Poor thing! He was stiff with cold, and seemed not to wish to move. But Mercy knew what was for his good.
7. She meant to do what was best for poor Brownie, whether he knew it or not. So she talked to him, patted him, and coaxed2 him till at last he let her lead him down to the old shed at the bottom of the garden.
8. "This is lucky for you, Brownie," cried she, feeling very proud at her success. There was a bundle of hay in one corner, of which she shook down a nice soft armful.[Pg 60]
9. And then she gave Brownie one good brisk rubbing with some of the straw, to warm them both. She made him a bed of straw too.
10. Brownie was glad to nibble3 a mouthful while this was being done. Then she took some fine carrots from a shelf, and put them in fro............