“ELIOT! Where are you? Lunch is on the table. No, you go ahead without me. I already had a quick bite while I was making yours. I’m running so far behind with everything today, and the sheep haven’t been fed yet . . . Eliot! Have you seen my gum boots? Never mind! I found them!”
“Oh, good, you’re here. When you’re done eating, just rinse everything and cover the leftovers. I’ll do the dishes when I get done outside. Any chance you’re going into town today? Harold said he fixed my walkie talkie yesterday, and it’s so much easier than always having to phone. Funny, isn’t it? For years, we’ve been phoning Harold, and now it’s an inconvenience. Anyway, be a dear and collect it for me.”
“Oh, and while you’re there, see if he has time to come over and look at Sheepie. I think her leg is healing nicely, but I’d really like him to take one last look at it. And just one more teeny little thing. Would you stop by P&E and see if the Cornish pasties are ready? It would save me a trip into town. Besides, it might be a good chance for you to look around on the way down and figure out where we’re going to hold the Wool Week event. I know, I know. I’m just reminding you.”
“Sure. Lunch looks good.”
“My brother isn’t much for conversation. But he’s the best brother ever.”
“Ta ta! Gotta run. Sounds like a herd of buffalo is out in that sheep pen. They must be really hungry . . .”
“Let’s leave him in peace to eat his pasty. Albie is making an awful racket out there, and Eliot usually naps after lunch anyway. He won’t even miss us. I mean Eliot, of course.”
“Here you are, my little angels. How is everyone today? Let me see your leg, Sheepie. Well, now, doesn’t that look great? Harold’s going to take another look at it, but I’d say you’re ready to pasture with the others. What is it, Berengaria? Is Wilby being more of a grump than usual? Okay, Molly, I love you, too. Boy, you are all restless today, aren’t you? Would you like me to sing to you? How about . . . WHERE IS ALBIE? Oh, no! Not again! Eliot! Oh, Eliot!
“Sounds noisier than usual out there. “
“Oh, Eliot! Albie’s on the loose again! No, I’ve looked in all the usual places, and he’s nowhere to be seen. Oh, this couldn’t have happened at a worse time. Do me a favor, please, and give Marina a call. She’s helped me with this before, and Albie usually comes when she’s around. Ask her to come over as soon as she can. No, I’ll be all right. You finish your lunch, but please call Marina first. Oh, my . . . “
“You’re sure you don’t need my help? Certainly, I’ll call her right away. Is her number on the Rolodex? Okay. But I still think a bell around that lamb’s neck would help. Sure. Go ahead, but be careful. I saw a nice stand of jewelweed out there last week, and you know what that means. I’ll give Harold a call, too, and tell him to be on the lookout for Albie at his place.”
“Yoo hoo! Little lambiekins! Come to Bunty . . .”
“Albie, dearest! Here, boy! Bunty doesn’t have time right now to play hide-and-seek. Where are you? I can’t see you.”
“Bunty, you called? No, I meant me, silly. Eliot said you needed help. Oh, not again! Why don’t you put a bell on that lamb? He did? Well, then it must be a good idea. Let’s see what we can do about finding Albie, and then we’ll talk about a bell. So. Tell me where you’ve already looked. Great. Then let’s start on the sunny side of the pasture.”
“Bunty, have you and Eliot ever thought of getting a goat or two? Or ten? Might help keep this pasture clear. Okay, you lead the way. Surround him? Bunty, can two people surround just one lamb? Okay, you’re right. I’ll whisper. Not even whispering? How am I supposed to let you know if I find him? Okay. I’ll be very quiet. Why don’t we split up here?”
“Here, little Albie. Come to Marina. Yoo hoo! No, I’m not making too much noise, Bunty. I’m whispering. What good is that, though? He’s never going to come if he doesn’t know I’m here. All right, I’ll just look for him without calling.”
“He’s not hiding behind the old willow stump! Oh, sorry. Ssh.”
“There you are, you naughty little boy. Come to Bunty, and I’ll give you something nice to eat. No, no! Albie! Don’t run away! Come back here! Marina, he’s over here in the Lovage patch! Well, I can’t very well tell you where he is without making noise, can I? Oh, no! There he goes again! I think I saw him run toward the bramble patch. Let’s try to head him off from the blackberry side. Albie! Yoo hoo!”
“Albie, where are you? Marina’s here, and she wants to see her little boy. Marina, say something. Wait, I think I see him hiding in the daylilies! You go around to the other side, and I’ll try to coax him out in your direction. Here, little guy! I see you! No, don’t go that way . . . forget it Marina.”
“Albie, you get over here right now. This isn’t funny. Where’s my sweet lambie? Marina, I think he’s back in the Lovage again. Oh, Albie.”
“Nope. Not here. Bunty, I can’t see that being quiet is helping matters very much. I’m going to start calling him again. A-l-l-lbie! Come here, you naughty little sheepie! Marina wants to see your sweet little face . .”
“I’m coming over to your side, Bunty. I don’t think he’s over here. Boy, you really should talk to Eliot about getting a goat. Or a bush hog. It’s hot out here, and I’m getting thirsty. And I’m not exactly dressed for this. Well, last time was different. He just came when I called. Do you do this often?”
“There you are, you fluffy little thing. Look at the nasty little burrs in your curls. Bunty’s going to have to work all day to get you cleaned up. You like to be clean, don’t you, little guy? That’s it. Come over here . . . You can come out now, Marina. I think we’ve done it. Just be very slow and quiet. There’s a good boy . . .”
“Bunty just wants to feel how soft you are. Wouldn’t you like that? We’re by the elderberry, Marina, where the ground ivy grows so thick. Good boy . . .”
“That’s it. Just a little closer. That was a fun game, wasn’t it, my little lambie? And you’re so good at hiding. Just let me give you a big hug . . .”
“That’s a good boy. Just head right over to your favorite rocky peak. Woof woof. Pretend I’m Alton and that he wants you to run right over to where Marina is waiting. Woof woof . . .”
“Woof woof? Bunty, you’ve got to be kidding. No, I am decidedly not going to talk like a dog. It’s bad enough that we’re talking to him at all, like he knows what we’re saying. Here, Albie! Come to Marina! What a good boy you are . . . not . . . That’s it. Right up on your rock. Oh, you’re such a good climber . . . Oh, Bunty, you’ve got me doing it now.”
“Good boy! Now, just stay right there and show off your cuteness until Bunty can give you that nice big hug. Marina, I couldn’t have done it without you. Be careful, though, that he doesn’t step on your toes with those little shoes you have on. It hurts. Okay, you’re sure you don’t want to stay for a cool drink? Sure? Okay, I’ll talk to you later. And thanks a bunch, my dear. You’re always there in a pinch. See you later. Now, where’s Bunty’s good boy . . .”
“Oh, Albie! How could you? You know Bunty has a lot to do before Wool Week. Let’s get back to the pen before the others kick the fence down. No treat for you tonight, young man. And I’m going to talk to Eliot about a collar with a bell. Oh, Eliot, where’d you come from? You can see we got him, and Marina had a great idea about putting a bell on him. I know you said it first. Great minds think alike, right? What? No, I think I’ll stay here this afternoon. Say “hello” to Harold for me. I need some lemonade and a shower. Oh, by the way, Marina had another good idea, too. How about a goat or two to clear that overgrown part of the pasture? Eliot? Eliot? Well, we’ll ask him later, little sweetkins. Right now, we have to get you back to the others. You’re such a cuddly little thing. I love you . . .”
