y. The first game that we have to spare this season shall
go to them: and I shall bear them in mind when we gather our apples."

"If you find we have any apples to gather, my dear. I doubt it."

"Do you really? It will be unfortunate for our young friends, if prices
rise next winter, as you seem to expect. There goes ten o'clock, I
declare; and there are the children looking out for us, as well they
may. But those are really delightful young people. There is no getting
away from them."

CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE.

BOATING.

Mr Walcot was delighted with the invitation to the water-party, but was
fully engaged for the next three weeks. Mr Grey decreed that he was to
be waited for. Then the lady moon had to be waited for another ten
days; so that it was past the middle of August before Mrs Grey and
Sophia were called upon to endure Mr Walcot's society for six hours.
The weather was somewhat dubious when the day arrived: but in so bad a
season as the present, it would never do to let a doubt put a stop to an
excursion which had been planned above a month. One of Mr Grey's men
was sent round among the ladies in the morning, to request to be the
bearer of their cloaks, as it was thought they would be cold on the
water without all the wraps they had. Hester sent as many warm things
as she thought Margaret could possibly wear. She was not going herself.
She wished it much; but it was decided on all hands that it would be
imprudent, as there was no calculating the amount of fatigue which each
might have to incur.

At three o'clock the party assembled on the wharf on Messrs. Grey and
Rowland's premises, everyone having dined at home. Mrs Rowland had
tried to persuade Mr Walcot that he ought not to be out of the way,
after what Lady Hunter had said in a note about her terrible headache of
yesterday. It might be the beginning of a feverish attack; and it would
be unfortunate if he should be six miles down the river--not expected
home till nine or ten at night, when a messenger should arrive from the
Hall. But Mr Walcot had seen few water-parties in the course of his
life, and he was resolved to go.

Margaret and her brother repaired in gay spirits to the water-side. In
the days of poverty, trifles become great events, and ease is luxury.
Hope felt himself clear of the world to-day. He had received the money
from the sale of his horse; and after paying for its corn, there was
fifteen pounds left to be put by fo