William, a boy of seven, fled off immediately after breakfast, to prowl round the wakes ground, leaving Annie, who was only five, to whine all morning to go also.

Mrs.
Morel did her work.

She scarcely knew her neighbours yet, and knew no one with whom to trust the little girl.

So she promised to take her to the wakes after dinner.
William appeared at half-past twelve.

He was a very active lad, fair-haired, freckled, with a touch of the Dane or Norwegian about him.
"Can I have my dinner, mother ?" he cried, rushing in with his cap on.
"'Cause it begins at half-past one, the man says so." "You can have your dinner as soon as it's done," replied the mother.
"Isn't it done ?" he cried, his blue eyes staring at her in indignation.
"Then I'm goin' be-out it." "You'll do nothing of the sort.