Page:Zodiac stories by Blanche Mary Channing.pdf/85

68 "The finest bull-calf ever I saw," said Samis. "A prince of calves—a very Rameses of calves. Is not that a sight worth seeing?"

"Oh, how soft—how small!" cried the little girl. "Can I have him in my house to play with when he can leave his mother? Can I, Samis?"

"In the house indeed!" laughed Katuki, the nurse. "Scarcely can you, Tophra."

"But you can see him as often as you will," said Samis. "I will carry you on my shoulder as I do to-day."

"I want him to play with," repeated Tophra, "and I know my father will not say 'no'; he never refuses me what I want."

Which was quite true. Tophra was the only living child of a family of five, and her parents indulged her much.

"I want to pat you, little calf," she said now. " Hold me nearer, Samis."