The Local Invasions

Warmest greetings from Pemberley! I hope this finds you and all your friends and relations enjoying good health.

Changes are afoot, dear readers. There is a sense of excitement all around Pemberley Farm as well as one of anticipation. As far as I can tell, it all has to do with personages recently arrived as well as those who are soon to come.

I shall start with the latter, for that is more pleasant news indeed. Our nearest neighbors are in expectation of happy events at any moment.

Fuzzy headed Young Master Slider is always eager to be at the front of the group. Here you can see him with his mother Miss Whopper (who is soon to give him a brother or sister) to the far right, Miss Meow in the center, and Miss Posey (who is soon to be a mother for the first time) all the way to the left.

You may recall from my earlier letter that my companions and I had the honor of clearing the calf pen for Miss Posey’s calf. Her calf will need some special watching over the first few days, as she is a milk cow. Apparently beef calves like Miss Whopper’s are much more independent soon after birth and can often be found standing up on their own after only a few hours in the world.

Farmer Jay speaks to Ma Berry about a third calf coming at any time, but Miss Meow is not, as they say, in an interesting condition. I have, however, noted that Ma Berry has stopped lifting so many heavy things. Perhaps all will be clear in due time.

Our own dear Lizzy collided with something at some point (her recollections are unclear) and sustained a minor injury to her eye. Thankfully, Ma Berry and Farmer Jay consulted our local physician and have been treating her with good effect. We don’t believe she will suffer any lasting harm or serious delay in her program of improving her mind with extensive reading.

Thus far the happy news.

Now I’m afraid I must tell you about what I can only call The Invasion.

The regiment has come to Pemberley.

I think that is what they must be. They come and go at strange times, according to the whims of some higher authority. Some of them show up injured or go AWOL. Some die after fierce action against a neighboring populace, and a batch of new ones shows up to replace them. Some of them even appear to be wearing red.

I cannot think their arrival is a good thing. They are loud, messy, have no sense of decorum whatsoever, and I think there must be a thousand of them. They have been known to walk right into the halls of Pemberley and make themselves welcome without so much as a by-your-leave.

Honestly, friends, they startle me right out of my wool, and I cannot tell you why. I do not mind them at a safe distance, but they have a way of creeping up on one through the grass and pouncing when one is peacefully grazing that is most disconcerting.

I suspect they are also pilfering the special corn Ma Berry and Farmer Jay have been giving me for minerals and to keep growing. It is really quite shockingly rude!

Ah, well. I do not suppose the regiment can stay indefinitely.

I shall close for now, as it is nearly time to retire. All my best wishes for your continued health and happiness.

Most sincerely yours,

Mr. Darcy the Sheep