Mr. Knightley’s First Haircut
Warmest greetings from Pemberley!
I hope this finds you in good health and staying cool in this heat. We have the great fortune to have a box fan at Pemberley that blows quite conveniently upon us during the worst heat of the day. It keeps us from becoming overheated and short-tempered, and we bless Farmer Jay for it constantly.
You may be generous enough to remember my dear friend Mr. Knightley.
As you may recall, he is a Merino sheep, and acts as the leader of our wee flock. He came to the farm in need of a trim, but the people who sent him on his journey wished us all to admire his exceptional wool before it was removed. It is quite admirable, and though I do not understand the entire process yet, Kiersten J made multiple approving and excited comments about what a pleasure it will be to spin.
I hope I get to learn more about that.
In any case, with the heat, it was necessary for Mr. Knightley to have his first shearing, and so a pleasant Amish gentleman offered to demonstrate the process to Farmer Jay. I’m afraid it’s quite undignified.
I’m concerned that I may also be expected to submit to such indignities, but I have yet to work up the courage to ask.
Kiersten J says the fibers are a dream to manipulate and seemed to be mesmerized by pulling, tugging, and twisting them into a very thin thread. I admire the different shades of blonde and cream in his wool, and think them quite handsome. I also like the squiggles, which Kiersten J called “crimping.” It’s very different from my wool with its loopy curls.
In any case, we have all become accustomed to Mr. Knightley’s new appearance. He seemed a bit disconcerted immediately after his shearing, as if he were a little embarrassed. We did our best to reassure him that he’s still quite handsome enough to tempt any ewe, and reminded him that he is certain to be more comfortable in the recent temperatures.
I understand that the Merinos are typically sheared in the Spring and Fall, and that Farmer Jay may be constructing a table for shearing to keep the wool from falling onto the ground into the straw. I’ll be sure to inform you if I find out that I’m to participate in this most interesting and highly personal activity.
As a final note, you may remember that I mentioned our neighbor the pig? His name is Spud, and we have not seen him since I last wrote. We are beginning to be concerned that something dire may have happened to him. I enclose a photograph in the event you see him and can report his whereabouts.
Most sincerely yours,
Mr. Darcy the Sheep
