That night when she returned from the school she made an excuse to go down to see Billy.

He was engaged in hulling walnuts by driving them through holes in a board.

His hands were protected by a pair of Margaret's old gloves, but he had speckled his face generously.

He appeared well, and greeted Elnora hilariously.
"Me an' the squirrels are laying up our winter stores," he shouted.

"Cos the cold is coming, an' the snow an' if we have any nuts we have to fix 'em now.