"We are using every inch between the road and the marsh."
"You forget my back-garden, which lies waste at present."
"My dear Jemmy!"
"By knocking a hole in the party hedge you gain two and a half acres at least. Then, as to water—you depend on the rainfall."
"That's true."
"But there's an excellent spring between this and Dovercourt; and the owner will sell."
"It's half a mile away."
"God bless my soul! I suppose I am not too old to design a conduit."
Captain Jack's arm stole into Captain Jemmy's.
"You'll be saying next," the latter went on, "that I'm too old to set about draining the marsh. Then, as to sundials: you're amazingly deficient in sundials. Now half a dozen here and there—and a fish-pond or two—unless you'd like to have a moat. I could run you a moat around the back, and keep it supplied with fresh water all the year round. By the way, talking of moats and fresh water, did I tell you that Roderick Salt was not drowned, after all?"