[Subsection]

People came leading their cows to Bufast. The cows plodded along in the snow, looking out of place. Cows belonged to green meadows and leaves and horseflies. Now they were being led through the snowdrifts to the great bull that belonged to Eilev Bufast. There they were given calves. Then they plodded home again through the cold, white drifts. They ought not to have been out of doors at this time of year; they were out of place.

The bull was dangerous and was never let loose.

Towards spring fewer cows came, and then the bull was slaughtered. He was too old; Father wanted a new one.

Per got a glimpse of the slaughtering of the bull through a hidden peephole. He saw the savage bull standing tied behind the barn one morning. All four feet were tied, and he was tied by the ring in his nose. There was one man holding each rope. The bull raised one of his forelegs and pawed the ground slowly.

Then Father went straight towards him to make an end of it, his rifle in his hand. The bull straddled his legs, terrifyingly strong. Per was too far away to see the whites of his eyes. There was an explosion, and the bull toppled. Per was glued to his peephole. Now all the men were on the ground holding down the bull. It was a black lump. Per tore himself away, trembling. He ran to the stable and stroked Brownie   [p. 46]   over the nostrils again and again. Brownie stood quietly, enjoying it, bending his head without shivering.

When Father came today, Brownie would shiver and fuss.

One day Father would go up to Brownie with the rifle, he thought. Somebody had said so.

What did it mean, to be good to animals?