om how many cows milk, and then be taken to
see the two calves, one of which Betty pronounced to be "but a
staggering Bob yet, but George Butcher would take he in a sen'night,"
which sounded so like senate, that it set Dora wondering what council
was to pronounce on the fate of the poor infant bull.

Over his stall, Edmund found them, after an inspection of the pig-styes,
and having much offended Master Pucklechurch by declaring that he would
have them kept clean, and the pigs no longer allowed to range about the
yard.

"Bless you, sir, the poor things would catch their death of cold and
die," was the answer to the one edict; and to the other, "They'd never
take to their victuals, nor fat kindly without their range first."

"Then let them have it in the home-field out there, where I see plenty
of geese."

"They'll spile every bit of grass, sir," was the growling objection; and
still worse was the suggestion, which gradually rose into a command,
that the "muck-heap" should be removed to the said home-field, and never
allowed to accumulate in such close proximity to the house.

Pucklechurch said little; but his "If it be your will, sir," sounded
like a snarl, and after ruminating for some time, he brought out--as if
it were an answer to a question about the team of horses--

"We'll have to take on another boy, let be a man, if things is to be a
that 'en a."

"Let us, then," said the captain, and joined his ladies, with the old
man depressed and grumbling inwardly.

There was an orchard preparing to be beautiful with blossom, and a
considerable kitchen garden at the back and on the other side of the
house, bounded by an exceedingly dirty and be-rutted farm road, over
which the carriage had jolted the evening before. The extensive
home-field in front was shut off from the approach by a belt of
evergreens, and sloped slightly upwards towards the hill which gave the
parish its name.

"We will cut off a nice carriage road," said Mary, as she looked at it.

"All in good time," replied her husband, not wishing further to shock
poor Master Pucklechurch, who had to conduct the party to the arable
fields--one of which was being ploughed by three fine sleek horses, led
by Bill Morris, with his father at the shafts. In another, their
approach was greeted by hideous yells and shouts which made Dora start.

"Ay, ay," said Pucklechurch, "he knows how to holler when he see me
a-coming;" and at the same time a black-specked