“Children,” said Mother, one morning, “I want you to take a basket of eggs to Mrs. Brown at Rose Cottage, with my love.”

Tom and Effie were quite willing, for they were very fond of Mrs. Brown. The walk there was lovely—the skies were blue and the birds were singing their sweetest songs.

At last they reached the garden gate. “Oh,” cried little Effie, who was carrying the basket of eggs, “just look, Tom! There’s a Billy goat in the garden! Let us go and make friends with him.”

“So we will,” said Tom.

They had a goat at home and so were not in the least afraid.

But Billy looked very fierce as the children drew near, as much as to say, “Who are you?”

Then he made a sudden rush at them. Effie in her fright, nearly flew towards the gate, dropping her eggs on the way. Poor Tom, however, did not escape so easily. The goat butted him into the air and soon the poor little fellow lay sprawling on the ground.

Mrs. Brown, hearing their cries, quickly came to their help, and soothed away their fears.

“How dare you be so rude, naughty Billy?” she said to the goat.

And Billy looked quite ashamed of himself, as well he might.

Since that day, he has learnt better manners, and now he is very pleased to see the little pair when they come to pay a visit to Rose Cottage.