CHAPTER TWO.
THE GREAT FEN DRAIN.
"Yes, it's all right, Master Winthorpe," said Farmer Tallington; "but what will the folks say ?" "Say! What have they got to do with it ?" cried Squire Winthorpe.

"You boys don't make so much noise.

I can't hear myself speak." "Do you hear, Tom, howd thy row, or I'll send thee home," said the farmer; "recollect where you be." "Yes, father," said, the lad.
"It wasn't Tom; it was me," said Dick quietly.
"Then hold your tongue, sir," cried the squire.

"Now look here, Master Tallington.

If a big drain is cut right through the low fen, it will carry off all the water; and where now there's nothing but peat, we can get acres and acres of good dry land that will graze beasts or grow corn." "Yes, that's fine enough, squire," said Tom's father; "but what will the fen-men say ?" "I don't care what they say," cried the squire hotly.