“Why, they’re cameleopards!” she exclaimed, recalling Mr Bewick’s illustrations inThe History of Quadrupeds.It had been one of her favourite books in the library at Whitehall throughout her childhood.
With quiet pride, Lady Raffles said, “Some do call them that. Please meet our Nubian Giraffes.”
“How would you describe them, Belinda?” Dora asked eagerly.
Still marveling, Lindy started slowly.
“Their faces are much like a roe-deer but longer, and thinner. Between their ears are two knobby projections, like stunted antlers, perhaps? Their eyes are large, dark and so heavily lashed, I find myself quite envious. Their hides are a patchwork of golden and tawny shapes, and their necks – oh, their glorious necks!”
“Yes,” Dora murmured, squinting determinedly. “EvenIcan see that their necks are extraordinary.”
“Somehow, they are simultaneously majestic, elegant, and amusing.” As Belinda’s description came to an end, she was aware that Lady Raffles was listening closely, a wisp of a smile on her lips.
“Astonishing creatures!” Mrs Hartley cut in. “So very tall, they are — and have such spindly legs! Why, I hardly believe such animals would survive in the wild! It’s very good they’ve been brought here where they are much safer.”
Pinching her lips together, Lady Raffles broke one of the carrots she’d brought in half, attracting the nearest giraffe’s attention.
“Here you are, my dear,” she said, handing Dora a piece of it. “This will be a treat for dear Selim. Hold it up to him, steadily…”
“He won’t spit at me, will he?” Miss Hartley hunched her shoulders.
They all laughed and Lady Raffles assured her that behaviour was unique to the llamas.
When Miss Hartley held the root aloft, the giraffe’s mouth was there already. Out whipped a black tongue, long and sinuous as a snake. Dora squealed, laughing as the carrot was snapped out of her hand and guided to the meaty lips that waited above.
“And now it’s gone!” Belinda said as they all heard a quick crunch. “Down his lengthy gullet.”
Dora asked, “Do you think it will arrive in his stomach by dinnertime?”
Laughing more loudly than she knew was proper, Lindy realized she had not enjoyed herself this much in weeks.
But an even greater wonder in the far reaches of the stall suddenly caught her attention, for beside the reclining giraffe was a youngling, curled up on the ground. With its legs tucked neatly underneath it, its elongated neck arched like a rainbow over its body, allowing its head to rest on its haunches. Itwas undoubtedly the most endearing animal Belinda had ever beheld.
Once she had described this charming sight in rapid and thorough detail to Dora, the two girls crooned and sighed as if they could feel the little beast’s fluffy head beneath their fingertips.
“Zaida is still quite protective of her calf, so I regret we cannot go in to pet her,” Lady Raffles told them.
“Just knowing such a darling creature exists in the world is a joy,” Belinda breathed, and the woman looked so fondly at her that she felt allowed to ask an unrelated question.
“Ma’am, forgive my boldness, but did I hear you say you are afellowof the Zoological Society?”
“Yes, certainly you are curious about that. Most people are. The Society admits females as full members. I was the first, but there are others now. Oh, look! Zaida must have heard the crunch of Selim’s carrot and is hoping for one for herself.”
What an impressive woman, having distinguished herself in such a way!
An ember of pride – or hope – burned deep in Belinda’s bosom as the other giraffe lumbered curiously towards the railing. But her admiration was cut short by a sudden squawk from Mrs Hartley.
“Oh Dora, put those hideous things away at once! Hiding them in your reticule again, were you?”
Looking over, Lindy was astonished to see that a wire frame with lenses as thick as teacakes had appeared on Miss Hartley’s face.
Shedoeshave a pair of spectacles!
“Mamma, I simply must see the baby for myself,” Dora said crisply.
“Well, get your glimpse quickly, then,” her mother muttered, glancing around the empty stable. “Then take them off before anyone sees you.”
The uneasy silence that followed was broken when Lady Raffles stepped closer to Dora, and pointed over the railing.
