Solomon laid back his ears and twitched the skin of his back as if he meant to kick when Dick went near the lean-to shed supported on posts, thatched with reeds and built up against an old stone wall in which there were the remains of a groined arch.
Everything about the Toft was at peace, and down toward the wheelwright's the labourers' cottages were so still that it was evident that some of the people had gone to bed.
The squire went on down the gravel slope, past the clump of firs, and by the old ivied wall which marked the boundary of the ancient priory, when, after crossing a field or two, they came to the raised bank which kept the sluggish river within bounds.
"Looks cold and muddy, father," said Dick.
"Yes, not tempting for a bathe, Dick; but some day I hope to see a river nearly as big as that draining our great fen." "But don't you think it will be a pity, father ?" "Yes, for idle boys who want to pass their lives fishing, and for men like Dave and John Warren.

Depend upon it, Dick, it's the duty of every man to try and improve what he sees about." "But natural things look so beautiful, father!" "In moderation, boy.

Don't see any sign of Mr Marston yet, do you ?" "No, father," replied Dick after taking a long look over the desolate level where the river wound between its raised banks toward the sea.
"Can't very well miss his way," said the squire, half to himself.
"Unless he came through the fen," said Dick.
"Oh, he wouldn't do that! He'd come along by the river wall, my boy; it's longer, but better walking." The squire walked back toward the house, turning off so as to approach it by the back, where his men were digging for a great rain-water tank to be made.
The men had not progressed far, for their way was through stones and cement, which showed how, at one time, there must have been either a boundary-wall or a building there; and as they stood by the opening the latter was proved to be the case, for Dick stooped down and picked up a piece of ancient roofing lead.
"Yes, Dick, this must have been a fine old place at one time," said the squire.

"Let's get back.

Be a bit of a frost to-night, I think." "I hope not, father." "And I hope it will, my boy! I like to get the cold now, not when the young trees are budding and blossoming." They went in, to find the ample supper spread upon its snowy cloth and the empty jug standing ready for the ale to be drawn to flank the pinky ham, yellow butter, and well-browned young fowl.
"No, wife, no! Can't see any sign of him yet," said the squire.