"I've been building a real house, me and Mr. Rudge togever."
"It's a labourer's cottage being erected," said Monica. "You can fancy that he discovered it very quickly."
"Yes," said Chuckles, with a self-satisfied nod. "Mr. Rudge holded my hand and showed me how to put the mortar atween the bwicks. He was very like God this morning. I tolded him so."
Gavine stared at the child with her grave eyes.
Jockie giggled.
"How was he, Chuckles?" she asked. "Tell us."
"He helped me to build," said Chuckles with great gravity. "That's what God does to me every day, doesn't He, Miss Sid?"
Monica looked across at Sidney with a smile.
Chuckles was never better pleased than when he had got an audience. He lifted up his voice and continued:
"I'm just about middle built now."