To their surprise, for all his instructors were heart and
soul for cattle, Bob showed a distinct leaning towards mutton.
"They're easier to understand, I think," he said. "Possibly it's because
they're not as intelligent as cattle, and I don't think I am, either!"
"Well, I know something about bullocks, but these woolly objects have
always been beyond me," said Jim. "Necessary evils, but I can't stand
them. I used to think there was nothing more hopeless than an old merino
ewe, until I met a battery mule--he's a shade worse!"
"Wait till you've worked with a camel in a bad temper, Mr. Jim," said
Dave Boone darkly; he had put in a weary time in Egypt. "For downright
wickedness them snake-headed beggars is the fair limit!"
"Yes, I've heard so," said Jim. "Anyhow, we haven't added mules and
camels to our worries in Victoria yet; sheep are bad enough for me.
Norah says turkey hens are worse, and she's certainly tried both; there
isn't much about the run young Norah doesn't know. But you aren't going
to make a living out of turkeys."
"No--Tommy can run them as a side line," said Bob. "I fancy sheep will
give me all I want in the way of worry."
"And you really think you'll go in for sheep, old man?" asked Jim with
pity.
Bob set his lips obstinately.
"I don't think anything yet," he said. "I don't know enough. Wait until
I've learned a bit more--if you're not sick of teaching such an idiot.
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