HAUNTS OF THE OTTER 47 



order for it to come down, and another place with it, 

 over the far side of the park, and about the same 

 distance from his house as it was. The people round 

 about didn't hackle to the squire much for having 'em 

 pulled down ; for the gentry that lived in 'em was 

 beliked by all. But they was forgot too, after a time, 

 mind ye ; and, when all's said an' done, a man can 

 do what he likes with his own. And, oh massey, 

 wasn't that old October what they brewed there real 

 Stingo ! 



'The old squire's house is reckoned one o' the 

 finest in the country, inside and out. He laid out 

 a mint o' money on it, and they've kept a lot at work 

 ever since the estate came to his hands, and folks, 

 rich people too, come a long way to see the picters 

 and marble figgers in the big hall, what the squire 

 brought from furrin parts. Now he's dead, I fancy 

 changes '11 be comin', and not for the better. I've 

 passed nearly all my life on this estate, an' I don't 

 like new-fangled ways. But they wun't trouble me 

 much, for my sand-glass is nearly run out. I'm 

 getting old and feeble, boy.' 



'Have you seen any large pike lately?' I ask 

 him. 



His eyes twinkle at the question. ' No ; not since 

 they two come to grief. Warn't they big uns ? You 



