“I’ll give them a little exercise!” shouted William, setting off in pursuit.  Anne Hilton looked out from her door to see the farmer standing up to bar the road backwards, and shouting directions to William, while he at the other side dodged one sow after the other, and Mrs Hankworth sat back laughing with enjoyment.

Anne ran to open the yard-gate, and, with management, the sows saw no other opening and ran in at a trot, scattering the squealing hens as they did so.

“Of all the knowing things!” said Mrs Hankworth.

“Well, Miss Hilton, we’re bringing you two sows and ourselves to visit you!” said the farmer.  “First a baby and then two sows!  You’ll keep a foundling home very soon.”

He jumped out, and his wife came slowly over the wheel.

“Somebody’ll be sending out to inquire for them soon,” said Anne.  “I’m very pleased to see you, Mrs Hankworth.”

“We came to say we’d send you milk for the baby every day,” said Mrs Hankworth, entering the kitchen.  “You’ll want yours for the butter.”

“It’s very kind of you,” said Anne.  “But he’ll want a good deal.”

“We’ve got seventy-five cows, you know,” said Mrs Hankworth, with a contented laugh.  “He’ll not make much difference among ’em.  Where is he?  Bless him,” she said, as she saw the baby staring at her from the wide wooden chair, in which he was tied.

“A fine baby,” said the farmer with an ultimate tone.

“He is a nice one!” said his wife.  “I must take him,” she said, picking up the baby and turning him face downwards over her arm while she seated herself.  She spread open her knees and laid him, docile to her practised handling, across them.  Anne watched her with the air of one taking a lesson.

“Did you have much trouble to get him?” asked Mrs Hankworth.

“No, very little,” said Anne.  “There were some papers to sign, and one or two other things, but I believe they’re generally glad to board out children if they can.”

“Well, he’s a healthy child.  Oh!  I don’t know anything that made me so full as to hear that poor girl had slipped away like that.  I didn’t get over it for some days.  You remember the last time I saw you, I was intending to go and see her.”

“Yes, we were all making plans,” said Anne.

“Here’s Mrs Crowther,” said the farmer.  “Come to see the baby, too, I expect.  I’ll just go and see how the sows is doing,” he said, approaching the door.

“Well, Mr and Mrs Hankworth, I didn’t expect to see you here,” said Mrs Crowther, coming in.  “I came to see how the baby was getting on.  Eh, how they do get hold of you, don’t they, little things.  I must have him a minute,” she said, taking him from Mrs Hankworth’s knee.  “No, you’re not the first baby I’ve had hold of,” she added to the little creature, who twisted about with protesting noises.  She smacked its soft thighs, and held its warm head against her cheek.  “I’m right down silly over a baby!” she exclaimed, laying it back on Mrs Hankworth’s knee.