When she unlatched his door, and said "Hal," he at once went
towards his manger, to show his independence, but when she said: "Oh!
very well!" he turned round and came towards her. His eyes, which were
full and of a soft brilliance, under thick chestnut lashes, explored her
all over. Perceiving that her carrots were not in front, he elongated
his neck, let his nose stray round her waist, and gave her gauntletted
hand a nip with his lips. Not tasting carrot, he withdrew his nose, and
snuffled. Then stepping carefully so as not to tread on her foot, he
bunted her gently with his shoulder, till with a quick manoeuvre he
got behind her and breathed low and long on her neck. Even this did not
smell of carrots, and putting his muzzle over her shoulder against her
cheek, he slobbered a very little. A carrot appeared about the level of
her waist, and hanging his head over, he tried to reach it. Feeling
it all firm and soft under his chin, he snuffled again, and gave her a
gentle dig with his knee. But still unable to reach the carrot, he threw
his head up, withdrew, and pretended not to see her. And suddenly he
felt two long substances round his neck, and something soft against his
nose. He suffered this in silence, laying his ears back. The softness
began puffing on his muzzle. Pricking his ears again, he puffed back a
little harder, with more curiosity, and the softness was withdrawn.
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