282 MISS BADSWORTH, M.F.H. 



** Well, it's this here drag. I never thought as you'd draw 

 them clumps, and I came along the road so as to meet you, 

 and you went t'other way. I see Bill Hart up agen the 

 Ashbed when there was beer at Casselton, and I says to 

 myself, says I, there's summat up, and " 



Lavvy listened to the outpouring of Alf s story (experience 

 had taught her that to cut it short was to increase the 

 number of heads), and when it concluded lamented together 

 with Alf that the keeper's unusual plan had prevented the 

 discovery of the plot. '' Well, I hope Bill Hart won't do it 

 again," she said. 



" No, mum, no," Alf replied meaningly. " I doubt if he'll 

 do it again." 



