es stall--Bull raises head suddenly._

A bull! This is a lark I've long awaited!
He's in a stable, so he should be baited.

[_The Bull shows symptoms of acute depression at this jeu de
mot_; LYDIA _comes forward indignantly_.

_Lydia._ I _can't_ stand by and see that poor bull suffer!
Excitement's sure to make his beef taste tougher!

[_The Bull emphatically corroborates this statement._

Be warned by Miss JANE TAYLOR; fractured skulls
Invariably come from teasing bulls!
So let that door alone, nor lift the latchet;
For if the bull gets out--why, then you'll catch it!

_Jack._ A fractured skull? Yah, don't believe a word of it!

[_Raises latchet: chord; Bull comes slowly out, and crouches
ominously._ JACK _retreats and takes refuge on top of pump; the Bull,
after scratching his back with his off foreleg, makes a sudden dash
at_ LYDIA.

_Lydia (as she evades it)_, Here, help!--it's chasing.
Me!--it's too absurd of it.

[_The Bull intimates that he is acting from a deep sense of duty._

_Lydia (impatiently)._ You stupid thing, you're ruining the moral!

[_The Bull persists obstinately in his pursuit._

_Jack (from top of pump)._ Well dodged, Miss BANKS! although the Bull
I'll back!

[_Enter Farm-hands_.

_Lydia._ Come quick--this Bull's mistaking me for JACK!

_Jack._ He knows his business best, I shouldn't wonder.

_Farm-hands (philosophically)._ He ain't the sort o' Bull to make a
blunder.

[_They look on._

_Lydia (panting)._ Such violent exercise will soon exhaust me!

[_The Bull comes behind her._

Oh, Bull, it is unkind of you ... you've _tossed_ me!

[_Falls on ground, while the Bull stands over her, in
readiness to give the coup de grace_; LYDIA _calls for help_.

_A Farm-hand (encouragingly)._ Nay, Miss, he seems moor sensible nor
surly--
He knows as how good children perish early!

[_The Bull nods in acknowledgment that he is at last understood, and
slaps his chest with his forelegs._

_Lydia._ Bull, I'll turn naughty, if you'll but be lenient!
Goodness, I see, is sometimes inconvenient.
I promise you henceforth I'll _try_, at any rate,
To act like children who are unregenerate!

[_The Bull, after turning this over, decides to accept a compromise._

_Jack._ And, LYDIA, when you ready for a lark are,
Just give a chyhike to your friend--JACK PARKER!

[_They shake hands warmly._