Lewis’s General Store was on the same street as the Widow Mitchell’s house. Mr. Lewis was on the front porch, sweeping as quickly as he could to keep up with the falling snow.
“You’ll be sweeping until dark if you hope to keep that porch clear,” said Papa.
“You’re right. But when the snow piles up, customers stay away. So what brings you two into town?”
“We’re hoping to trade,” said Papa. “We wondered if you might be interested in this merino.”
Mr. Lewis shook his head. “I don’t trade in livestock,” he said. “You’d be better off going to the farms around town.”
“I thought of that,” said Papa. “But as I recall, Mrs. Lewis is a fine weaver, and the wool from a merino sheep is soft and strong.”
Mr. Lewis came down the steps. He took off his glove and ran his fingers over the sheep’s back.
“I don’t have the space to pasture it,” he said.
“Sheep don’t take much room. And you could find someone outside of town who’d be glad to keep her for you come spring. Samuel here would be a good one to tend it.”
Mr. Lewis looked at Samuel. “What do you say, boy? Would you be willing to care for this sheep for me come spring?”
Samuel looked at the merino. He had cared for roosters and hens and geese. He had kept four snakes and five turtles. He had twice ridden the Chamberlains’ plow horses. There wasn’t a cat he wouldn’t play with. And dogs? Dogs were the best living things God had ever made.
But sheep, he thought, smelled. And they were stupid.
“I’d be willing,” Samuel said.
“Fine. You take the sheep around back while your father and I finish our business. There’s a pen in the old stable where you can put her. And a bale of hay to spread out.” Then Mr. Lewis and Papa went into the store.
Samuel pulled on the rope. “Come on, sheep,” he said. “Move.”
The sheep did not move.
“It’s warm in the stable,” said Samuel, and he tugged a little harder.
The sheep did not move.
Samuel went around to the back end of the sheep and pushed.
The sheep startled forward, and Samuel fell face first into the snow.
Sheep were really stupid.
And they smelled.