We went to his house down in the Gap, and had dinner, and Mr Uggleston was very civil to me, all but--" "Well, speak out, Sep.

All but what ?" "He spoke once, father, as if he did not like your having bought the Gap." "Hah! Very likely; but then you see, Sep, I did not consider myself bound to ask everybody's permission when I was at the sale, much more Mr Jonas Uggleston's, so there's an end of that." "He seemed to think he would have to turn out and go, father," I said, looking at him rather wistfully, for it appeared to me as if it would be a great pity if old Uggleston and Bigley did have to turn out, because we were such friends.
"If Mr Jonas Uggleston will behave, himself like a Christian, and pay his rent," said my father, "he'll go on just the same as he did under old Squire Allworth, so he has nothing to complain about whatever." "May I go and tell him that, father!" I said eagerly.
"No: certainly not." "I mean after breakfast, father." "So do I, my boy," he replied.

"Don't you meddle with such matters as that.

So you had a good look round the place, eh ?" "Yes, father." "See many rabbits ?" "Yes, father, plenty." "That's right.

I want to keep that place for a bit of shooting, and I'm thinking of buying a bigger boat, Sep, and I shall keep her there." "Oh!" I cried, "a bigger sailing boat ?" "Yes, a much bigger one, my boy--big enough to take quite a cruise.