THE MAJOR, THE PARSON, AND HUMPHRIES. 311 



I said : ' ' You may as well go all the way 

 with me Humphries, then you can see Mr. 

 Fowle yourself; I shall come back again to- 

 morrow, so, if he refuses you, you can return 

 with me." 



Humphries assented, and we both went on 

 to Chute Lodge, where we were met by the 

 coachman, who told me that Mr. Fowle 

 desired that I should go to him directly I 

 arrived, and that he was then on the lawn in 

 front. Here I found him with his two sisters, 

 and Mrs. Fowle. 



" Well, Wilkins," said he. " So you have 

 got here. Have you brought the horse and 

 cart back safely ? " 



"Yes, sir." 



" And have you taken away everything that 

 belongs to you and me ? " 



" No, sir," said I. " I had a letter from my 

 father to say he had got me a keeper's place, 

 so I took my box and gun to Chilton, and left 

 them there." 



"Where are you going to live, Wilkins? 

 What sort of country is it ? " 



