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　　Up on the mountain-side
　　Trefor the shepherd had a small cabin-like cottage a good way up the mountain-side. Around himfor miles grazed the sheep. Nearer in were that year’s lambs, now grown into sturdy little beasts,their woolly coats showing up against the sheared¹ bodies of the older sheep.
　　The shepherd was having a simple meal when they got to his hut. He had bread, butter, creamcheese and onions, and beside him a great jug² of milk that he had cooled by standing³ it in thestream that ran down the mountain-side near by.
　　He nodded his head to the children as they came up. He was a curious-looking old fellow, withlongish untidy hair, a straggling beard, and two of the brightest blue eyes the children had everseen.
　　He spoke⁴ Welsh, which they didn’t understand. ‘Can you speak English?’ asked Jack⁵. ‘We can’tunderstand what you say.’
　　Trefor knew a few words of English, which, after much thought and munching⁶ of onions, hespoke.
　　‘Donkeys. Tomorrow.’
　　He added something the children didn’t understand, and waved his hand down the mountain-side towards the farmhouse⁷.
　　‘He means the donkeys will arrive tomorrow at the farm,’ said Jack. ‘Good! Perhaps Aunt Allieand Bill will come for a picnic on the donkeys.’
　　Trefor was very interested in Kiki. He had never in his life seen a parrot. He pointed⁸ at Kiki andlaughed a hoarse⁹ laugh. Kiki at once copied it.
　　Trefor looked startled. ‘Wipe your feet,’ said Kiki sternly. ‘How many times have I told you toshut the door? Three blind mice!’

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