The Sucking-Pig　会嘬奶瓶的小猪

The other day our children came home delighted at having seen a little pig drinking out of a bottle,just like a baby.I went to see it,and I was introduced to its owner,who lived in a cottage,the principal room of which was painted light blue.A good-natured old woman was there with her two orphan grand children.The red tiles of the cottage floor were enlivened by a gray-and-white cat,and a shiny-skinned little pig,of about a month old,which was fed out of a feedingbottle.This was the hero of the place.

The little pig is grateful for good treatment,and as capable of attachment as a horse or a dog.The pig is intelligent,and it can be taught tricks.Performing pigs are often the attractions of country fairs.I have seen pigs in the poor neighborhoods of London follow their masters through noisy streets,and into busy public houses,where they laid down at their masters'feet like a dog.

有一天，孩子们回家，兴奋地告诉我说，他们看见一只小猪会像婴儿一样嘬奶瓶。于是我出门去看个究竟。经人指引，我来到小猪的主人家。那是一个村舍，正房被刷成了淡蓝色，里面住着一位慈祥的老婆婆和她两个失去了爹妈的孙子。在红砖铺成的地板上，我看到一只灰白色的猫和一只皮肤光亮的小猪，它们的存在让小屋熠熠生辉。小猪大约有一个月大，主人正在用奶瓶给它喂食。这就是我要拜访的那只小猪了。

得到悉心照顾的小猪，也会像马和狗那样对主人忠心耿耿、形影相随。猪很聪明，能学会一些小把戏。会表演把戏的猪在集市上常常引人注目。我在伦敦的乡下就看到过几只猪跟着它们的主人穿过嘈杂的街道，进了酒吧，然后像狗一样卧在主人的脚边。