It is a beautiful summer’s evening; a landowner rides over wide fertile meadows to visit a farm on the estate; the farmer’s wife is busy milking. The peace of this idyll is broken by a young boy attempting to steal two newborn puppies from their angry mother. Potter’s storytelling is at his best in this scene with the moralising message not to threaten an animal with young. Acquired by George IV in 1814 No. 9