Mr. Mitford's place to acquire as much knowledge as possible of the
methods of farming in the colony. The answer arrived in due course, and
with it came the two Grimstones. Wilfrid had suggested in his letter
that if his father decided to take the farm the two men should be sent
up at once to assist in adding to the hut and in preparing for their
coming, and that they should follow a fortnight later. Mrs. Mitford also
wrote, offering them a warm invitation to stay for a time with her until
their own place should be ready for their occupation.

Mr. Mitford had an inventory of the furniture of the hut, and this was
also sent, in order that such further furniture as was needed might be
purchased at Wellington. As soon as the letter was received, inclosing,
as it did, a cheque for a hundred pounds, Wilfrid went over with the two
Grimstones and took possession. Mr. Mitford, who was the magistrate and
land commissioner for the district, drew up the papers of application
for the plot of two hundred acres adjoining the farm, and sent it to
Wellington for Mr. Renshaw's signature, and said that in the meantime
Wilfrid could consider the land as belonging to them, as it would be
theirs as soon as the necessary formalities were completed and the money
paid.

When Wilfrid started, two natives, whom Mr. Mitford had hired for him,
accompanied him, and he also lent him the services of one of his own
men, who was a handy carpenter. The Grimstones were delighted with the
site of their new home.

"Why, it is like a bit of England, Master Wilfrid! That might very well
be the Thames there, and this some gentleman's place near Reading; only
the trees are different. When we get up a nice house here, with a garden
round it, it will be like home again."

During the voyage the Renshaws had amused themselves by drawing a plan
of their proposed house, and although this had to be somewhat modified
by the existence of the hut, Wilfrid determined to adhere to it as much
as possible. The present kitchen should be the kitchen of the new house,
and the room leading from it should be allotted to the Grimstones.
Adjoining the kitchen he marked out the plan of the house. It was to
consist of a sitting-room twenty feet square; beyond this was Mr. and
Mrs. Renshaw's bed-room; while behind it were two rooms, each ten feet
square, for himself and Marion. The roof was to project four feet in
front of the sitting-room, so as to form a verandah there.

A boa