the salmon off
with a silver spoon, and supplying our plates.

"You catch him, father?" said Bigley.

"Yes, Big. Weir."

"Weir," I thought to myself. "Weir? What does he mean by weir?"

"Eat away, my lads," cried Jonas Uggleston. "Big: have off some bread."

"When did you finish the weir, father?" said Bigley, with his mouth
full, in spite of all Dr Stacey had said.

"Seccun April, boy. You can work it a bit, now you're down."

Bigley looked at us with eager eyes, but we were too busy to pay much
attention, though I was anxious to see a weir that would catch salmon,
and ready to ask questions as soon as the dinner was done.

"Pour out the cider, lad. It's a fresh cask, and it's good. I bought
some at Squire Allworth's sale."

Bigley began to pour out for us, old Jonas having pushed his silver mug
to my side, while he took a brown one from a shelf for his and Bob's
use; and I was feeling sorry that he should have given me the silver
mug, because Bob would not like it, when, just as old Jonas mentioned
Squire Allworth's sale, his face changed again, and I saw his scowl as
he looked at me.

"He's thinking about my father buying the Gap," I said to myself; but
forgot it all directly, for the fierce look passed away as the old man
lifted his cup.

"Taste it, boys, and it'll make you think of being in the sunshine in an
orchard, with the sun ripening the apples. Now then: salmon getting
bony. Who'll have some ham?"

We all would, and we were quite ready afterwards to attack and finish
off a pot of raspberry jam which Mother Bonnet brought in with a smile;
and the raspberry jam, the beautiful butter and bread, and the cream
worked such an effect upon Bob Chowne that he exclaimed suddenly:

"Oh, don't I wish Dr Stacey would give us dinners like this!"

Old Jonas uttered a hoarse harsh laugh, which made me feel
uncomfortable, for he did not look as if he were laughing, but as if he
were in a very severe and angry fit with somebody.

"There," he said, when we had quite done, "be off, boys, now. I'm going
to be busy."

"Yes, father," said Big. "May we have the boat and go out for a sail?"

Old Jonas turned sharply round on him, and looked as if he were going to
knock his son down, so fierce was his aspect.

"No!" he roared.

"No, father?" faltered Bigley.

"No!" said old Jonas, not quite so fiercely. "Do you think I want to
spend all next week on the look-out to find you chaps when you're wash