lads consumed.

Over the meal the question of the draining was discussed
sympathetically.

"No fish," said Dick.

"No decoy," said Tom.

"No plovers' eggs," said Dave.

"No rabbiting," said Dick.

"No eeling," said Tom.

"No nothing," said Dave. "Hey bud it'll be a sad job when it's done.
But it arn't done yet, lads, eh?"

"No, it isn't done yet," said Dick. "I say, where's John Warren? I
haven't seen him for months."

"I hev," said Dave. "He's a breaking his heart, lads, about big drain.
Comes over to see me and smoke his pipe. It'll 'bout kill him if his
rabbud-warren is took awaya. Bud dree-ern ar'n't done yet, lads, eh?"

Squire Winthorpe was of a different opinion that night when Dick reached
home after seeing Tom well on his way.

"They're going on famously now," he said to Mrs Winthorpe, who was
repairing the damage in one of Dick's garments.

"And was the meeting satisfied?"

"Yes, quite," said the squire. "We had a big meeting with the gentlemen
from London who are interested in the business, and they praised young
Mr Marston, the engineer, wonderfully fine young fellow too."

Dick pricked up his ears.

"I thought Mr Marston was coming to see us a deal, father!" he said.

"He's been away during the bad weather when the men couldn't work--up in
town making plans and things. He's coming over to-night."

"And do the people about seem as dissatisfied as ever about the work?"
said Mrs Winthorpe.

"I don't hear much about it," said the squire. "They'll soon settle
down to it when they find how things are improved. Well, Dick, plenty
of sport to-day?"

"Dave got plenty of pie-wipes' eggs, father. I didn't find many."

"Got enough to give Mr Marston a few?"

"Oh, yes, plenty for that! What time's he coming?"

"About eight, I should think. He's coming along the river bank after
his men have done."

"And going back, father?"

"Oh no! he'll sleep here to-night."

The squire went out to have his customary look round the farmstead
before settling down for the night, and Dick followed him. The thrushes
were piping; sounds of ducks feeding out in the fen came off the water,
and here and there a great shadowy-looking bird could be seen flapping
its way over the desolate waste, but everywhere there was the feeling of
returning spring in the air, and the light was lingering well in the
west, making the planet in the east look pale and wan.

Everything seemed to be all right. The