Irony in One's a Heifer by Sinclair Ross "One's a Heifer" There are many examples of irony in the short story "One's a Heifer" by SinclairRoss. The author leads the traditional reader to believe that Vickers committed murder. However, the popular belief based on the instances of irony that Vickers committed murder does not necessarily constitute valid grounds for convicting the man. An ironic part of the story is Vickers' hostile behavior at the beginning of the story. Vickers is hostile towards the boy when he enters his property. "He grabbed Tim's bridle when he came up to us and looked at me for a minute like he was going to pull me out of the saddle. 'I told you to stay out,' he said in a hard, excited voice” (193). The boy thinks Vickers stole his two calves and just hid them in the stable. But, because of Vickers' hostile enthusiasm at the beginning of the story, the traditional reader believes that Vickers had just committed a murder and was trying to hide the body when the boy arrived. However, Vickers cannot be accused of being a thief or a murderer just because he behaves in a hostile manner at the beginning of the story. The boy trespassed on Vickers property. Vickers has every right to be upset and hostile toward the boy. Plus, he has cabin fever. Vickers has been living alone for some time and no longer remembers how to interact with others. Therefore, there is not enough evidence to prove that Vickers is a murderer based on his behavior at the beginning of the story. A second ironic part of the story occurs early on when Vickers is determined not to let the boy into the box. for the first time. “He stood in front of the door, crouching a little, the lantern in front of him like a shield” (194). The boy's view of Vickers is that he hides the calves in the stall. But the traditional reader believes that Vickers murdered a young girl and hid the body in the box. However, Vickers cannot be convicted of murder simply because he does not let the boy into the box. Vickers could be overprotecting his property.