The only things that really are certain are work and delay.
They got no nearer to Blenheim than to peer through its gates and to recite, very imperfectly, the verses about old Caspar's work and little Wilhelmine.
At about half-past three they entered Woodstock, and, after passing through the village and doing a little shopping there, surrounded by all Woodstock's children who were not in school, they began to look about for a camping-place.

And this needs more thought than one might suppose, for there must be some shelter from the wind, and water must not be too distant.

Also one does not want to be very close to a busy and dusty road.
Kink, who had gone off on a little tour of inspection, came back at last and said he had found an excellent field, high and dry, and sheltered too.

Stopping a labourer, they found that the farmer was Mr.
Gosden, of Blackett's; and Gregory and Mary Rotheram hurried off to the farm-house, which was a few fields off, to ask permission, and get some milk, and perhaps eggs and butter.
They found the door of the kitchen open, but no one there.

It was a large, low kitchen, with a very red brick floor, and it led into the dairy, where they could see the flat pans of milk.