After a long chase down dark alleys and winding roads, after scaling another few walls and scraping his knee, Percival finally reached home with Bessie. Hauling Bessie up the walls was no easy task and, Percival thought that he would burst a blood vessel along the way. But, he managed. Luckily, Bessie was a fairly active pig herself and, did her own share of clambering up the walls. But, poor thing, she tore her clothes and, when she reached Percival's house and, after she had had a bath, there remained the practical task of having her clothed. Percival's was a bachelor's establishment and, there were no sisters, mothers, aunts to lend any of their clothes to Bessie.
After a hot bath, the poor thing was clothed in Percival's best dressing gown, while a servant went quickly across to Percival's aunt's house to borrow some clothes. Luckily, there was no trouble on the way and back. Basil and Thyme had given up the chase for the moment and, had gone home to plot their next move. Poor guys, they were hungry and, for a pig, his stomach always comes first.
Bessie, finally sat down to a nice hot meal. Steaming soup, vegetables, roast chicken, pigeon were laid before her. No fourlegged animal meat. No beef, out of sympathy and, no pork, naturally. A glass of hot wine and, some brandy accompanied the meal and, Bessie was soon feeling nice and cozy.
Percival soon started feeling desires of a different kind and, sat close to Bessie. Very close indeed. He put his trotter on her's and, gently kissed her. Bessie, feeling warm with the wine, responded..........