cloud of rooks rose up
from the furrows, the old man stamping towards the boy who ought to have
been keeping them, vituperating him in terms that it was as well not to
hear.

And it was such a tiny boy after all, and in such a pair of huge boots
with holes showing his bare toes. However, they served him to run away
from Master Pucklechurch into the furthest ditch, and if the ladies had
designs on him, they had to be deferred.

On the opposite side were more fields, with crops in various stages, one
lovely with the growing wheat and barley, another promising potatoes,
and another beans; and beyond, towards the river, were meadows parted by
broad hedgerows, with paths between, in which a few primroses and golden
celandines looked up beneath the withy buds and the fluttering hazel
catkins. Then came the meadows, in one of which fed the cows, pretty
buff-and-white creatures, and in another field were hurdled the sheep,
among their dole of turnips, sheep and turnips alike emitting an odour
of the most unpleasant kind, and the deep baas of the ewes, and the
thinner wail of the lambs made a huge mass of sounds; while Captain
Carbonel tried to talk to Master Buttermere the shepherd, a silent,
crusty, white-haired old man in a green smock and grey old coat, who
growled out scarcely a word.

So the tour of the property was made, and old Pucklechurch expressed his
opinion. "He'll never make nothing of it; he is too outlandish and full
of his fancies, and his madam's a fine lady. 'Pon my word and honour,
she was frought at that there muck-heap!"

This pleasant augury was of course not known to the new-comers, who
found something so honest and worthy about the Pucklechurches that they
could not help liking them, though Mrs Carbonel had another tussle with
Betty about fresh butter. "It war no good to make it more than once a
week. Folk liked it tasty and meller;" and that the Carbonels had by no
means the same likings, made her hold up her hands and agree with her
husband that their failure was certain. These first few days were spent
in the needful arrangements of house and furniture, during which time
Captain Carbonel came to the conclusion that no one could be more stupid
or awkward than Master Hewlett, but that he was an honest man, and tried
to do his best, such as it was, while his relation, Dan, though
cleverer, was much more slippery, and could not be depended upon. Dora
asked Master Hewlett what schools there we