"I never get it." "No, but others do, and pains in their joints, and rheumatics.

I say, Tallington, when they get as old as we are, eh ?" "Yes, they'll find out the difference, squire; but do you know, that's how all the fen-men'll talk." "Let 'em," said the squire; "we've got leave from the king's magistrates to do it; and as for the fen-men, because they want to live like frogs all their lives, is that any reason why honest men shouldn't live like honest men should.

There, fill up your pipe again; and as for the fen-men, I'll talk to them." There was a bonny fire in the great open fireplace, for winter was fast coming on, and the wind that had been rushing across the fen-land and making the reeds rustle, now howled round the great ivy-clad chimney of the Hall, and made the flame and smoke eddy in the wide opening, and threaten every now and then to rush out into the low-ceiled homely room, whose well-polished oak furniture reflected the light.
The two lads sat listening to the talk of their elders, and after a time took up the work that had been lying beside them--to wit, some netting; but before Dick had formed many meshes he stopped to replenish the fire, taking some awkward-looking pieces of split root which were as red as mahogany, and placing them upon the top, where they began to blaze with a brilliant light which told tales of how they were the roots of turpentine-filled pines, which had been growing in the ancient forest that existed before the fen; and then taking from a basket half a dozen dark thick squares of dried peat and placing them round the flaming embers to keep up the heat.
"I say, Tom," said Dick in a low voice, "I don't think I should care to live here if the fen was drained." "No," replied Tom in the same tone, "it would be a miserable place." "Now, Tom, lad, home!" said the farmer, getting up.

"Good-night, squire!" "Nay, I won't say good-night yet," cried the squire.

"Hats and sticks, Dick, and we'll walk part of the way home with them." As they left the glowing room with its cosy fire, and opened the hall door to gaze out upon the night, the wind swept over the house and plunged into the clump of pines, which nourished and waved upon the Toft, as if it would root them up.