’I wish it was, my Lord; but it is they poachers out at Marksedge that are so daring, they would come anywheres—­and you see the ducks would roost up in the trees, and you said I was not to shut ’em up at night.  My master was out up by Beech hollow; I heerd a gun, and looked out; I seen a man and a boy—­I’d take my oath it was young Hodgekin.  They do say Nanny Hodgekin, she as was one of the Blacketts, whose husband was transported, took in two ducks next morning to Northwold.  Warren couldn’t make nothing of it; but if ever he meets that Hodgekin again, he says he shall catch it!’

’Well, Mrs. Warren, it can’t be helped—­thank you for the good care you took of the poor ducks,’ said Louis, kindly; and as he walked on through the gate, he gave a long sigh, and said, ’My dainty ducks!  So there’s an end of them, and all their tameness!’ But the smile could not but return.  ’It is lucky the case does not come before the bench! but really that woman deserves a medal for coolness!’

‘I suppose,’ said Mary, ’she could have paid the fine with the price of the ducks.’

’Ah! the beauties!  I wish Mr. Hodgekin had fallen on the pheasants instead!  However, I am thankful he and Warren did not come to a collision about them.  I am always expecting that, having made those Marksedge people thieves, murder will be the next consequence.’

A few seconds sufficed to bring the ludicrous back.  ’How pat it comes!  Mary, did you prime Mrs. Warren, or did Frampton?’

‘I believe you had rather laugh at yourself than at any one else,’ exclaimed his aunt, who felt baffled at having thrown away her compassion.

’Of course.  One knows how much can be borne.  Why, Mary, has that set you studying,—­do you dissent?’

’I was thinking whether it is the best thing to be always ready to laugh at oneself,’ said Mary.  ‘Does it always help in mending?’

‘’Don’t care’ came to a bad end,’ said Louis; ’but on the other hand, care killed a cat—­so there are two sides to the question.’

While Mary was feeling disappointed at his light tone, he changed it to one that was almost mournful.  ’The worst of it is, that ’don’t care’ is my refuge.  Whatever I do care about is always thwarted by Frampton or somebody, and being for ever thrown over, I have only to fall as softly as I can.’

‘You know, my dear,’ said Mrs. Frost, ’that your father has no command of means to gratify you.’

‘There are means enough for ourselves,’ said Louis; ’that is the needful duty.  What merely personal indulgence did I ever ask for that was refused me?’

‘If that is all you have to complain of, I can’t pity you,’ said Mary.

’Listen, Mary.  Let me wish for a horse, there it is!  Let me wish for a painted window, we can’t afford it, though, after all, it would not eat; but horses are an adjunct of state and propriety.  So again, the parish feasted last 18th of January, because I came of age, and it was proper; while if I ask that our people may be released from work on Good Friday or Ascension Day, it is thought outrageous.’