bricks of peat cut from the fen, furnished with a small window, a
narrow door, and thickly thatched with reeds.

He heard them coming, and, as they approached, came and stood at the
door, looking yellow, hollow of cheek, and shivering visibly.

"Here, John Warren, we've brought you a basket!" cried Dick. "How are
you? I say, don't you want the doctor?"

"Yah! what should I do with a doctor?" growled the man, scowling at all
in turn.

"To do you good," said Dick, laughing good-humouredly.

"He couldn't tell me nothing I dunno. I've got the ager."

"Well, aren't you going to ask us in?"

"Nay, lad. What do you want?"

"That basket," said Dick briskly. "Here, how is Dave?"

"Badly! Got the ager!"

"But is he no better?"

"Don't I tell you he's got the ager!" growled the man; and without more
ado he took the basket from the extended hand, opened the lid, and
turned it upside down, so that its contents rolled upon the sand, and
displayed the kind-heartedness of Mrs Winthorpe.

Dick glanced at Marston and laughed.

"Theer's your basket," growled John Warren. "Want any rabbuds?"

"No; they're out of season, John!" cried Dick. "You don't want us here,
then?"

"Nay; what should I want you here for?" growled the man. "Can't you see
I've got the ager?"

"Yes, I see!" cried Dick; "but you needn't be so precious cross.
Good-night!"

John Warren stared at Dick, and then at his two companions, and, turning
upon his heel, walked back into the hut, while Snig, his dog, seated
himself beside the contents of the basket, and kept a self-constituted
guard over them, from which he could not be coaxed.

"Might have showed us something about the Warren," said Dick in an
ill-used tone; "but never mind, there isn't much to see."

He turned to go back to the boat.

"I say, Hicky," he said; "let's go and see Dave. You won't mind
poling?"

"He says I won't mind poling, Mester Marston," said Hickathrift with a
chuckle. "Here, come along."

John Warren had disappeared into the cottage, but as they walked away
some of the rabbits came to the mouths of their holes and watched their
departure, while Snig, who could not leave his master's property,
uttered a valedictory bark from time to time.

"I say, Mr Marston," cried Dick, pausing, "isn't he a little beauty, to
have such a master! Look at him watching that food, and not touching
it. Wait a minute!"

Dick ran back to the dog and stooped down to open a clot