in France, but it might well have been done
in our own country, for we have all seen grass-covered, shady roads
like this one, and just such a group of animals. Is it not strange
that, although all the animals in the road are coming toward us, no
two are in the same position?

[Illustration: _The Return to the Farm_]

The sun is steadily going down; soon all the animals will be at home,
the cows will be milked, the sheep safe in the fold, and the donkey in
his stall. Then the good old dog will be glad to have his supper and
lie down and rest. It is wonderful how much a dog can help on a farm,
and how many steps he saves the farmer by his willing, cheerful help.
It is very unusual indeed to find a farmer without a dog.

If you look at the long shadows on the road of the sheep and the cows
you can tell easily in what direction they are going so late in the
afternoon.

Constant Troyon, the man who painted this picture, delighted in painting
groups of animals coming toward us. No matter where we stand, so long
as we can see them, they are coming to meet us. It makes us feel as if
we must step aside and let them pass, they are so real.

=Questions to help the pupil understand the picture.= Who goes after the
cows and sheep? Where will they find them? Where is the man in the
picture? Why do you suppose he is walking slowly? What does the dog
think he must do? What is he trying to persuade that dark cow not to do?
What does the cow which is just leaving the water seem to want to do?
Why does the dog look so worried? Where was this picture painted? Where
have you seen a road that looks like this? What will probably happen
when these cows and sheep reach home? Of what use is the dog? Why do
most farmers have a dog? How can a dog help his master in the city? In
what direction are the cows and sheep going? What makes you think so?

=The story of the artist.= When Constant Troyon was a little boy he
used to love to go to visit his father at the big factory where all
kinds of china and pottery were made. He liked to watch the men
decorate the china, and as soon as he was old enough he went into the
factory and learned how to do it himself. This was the way he first
learned how to draw.

He was not long content with china painting, however, and soon began
painting large pictures of places he cared about near home. He would
take his paints and search out just the place he liked to paint; then
he would stay there all day l