The Larks Nest 17 



Each uttered at the same moment a piteous cry, 

 and the figure, looking up, rose quickly from his 

 knees and watched them. Then he went slowly 

 away, and lay down among a group of cloaked 

 human forms. 



It was Bill, just released from sentinel duty. 

 As he paced to and fro, he had seen the Larks 

 rise, and, relieved by a comrade in a few minutes, 

 he searched at once for the nest. Bill was not 

 likely to miss it ; he knew the ways of larks, and 

 searched at a little distance right and left from 

 the spot he had seen them leave. There was 

 the nest three brown eggs and a young one ; it 

 brought back once more the Rectory gate, and 

 the old parson, and those few words of his. " I 

 wish as I'd sent 'un a letter," he said to himself, 

 as he heard the Larks' cry, and rose from his 

 knees. That was all he said or thought ; but 

 Bill went quietly back to his wet resting-place, 

 and slept with a clear conscience, and dreamed 

 of pothooks and Polly. 



When he woke nearly every one was astir : all 

 looking draggled, cold, and dogged. Breakfast 

 was a poor meal, but it freshened up Bill, and 



c 



